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[ IVIiole Xumber 184 



U. S. iBUREAU OF EDUCATION 



G 



REPORT 



OF THE 




im 



FOR 



ION IN 

) 



THE YE^R 1888-89. 



REPRIISTrED FROM THE REPORT .OF THE COMMISSIONER 
OF EDUCATION FOR 1888-89. 



SHELDON JACKSON, 



GENERAL AGENT. 



WASHINGTON": 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1891. 



I)1S 

in 

Copy 



(V 



X 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

EEPORT OF THE GENERAL AGENT OF EDUCATION FOR 
ALASKA TO THE TEKRITOKIAL BOAUD. 



letter teansmitting the eeport of the general agent to the commissionee 

of education. 

Territorial Board of Education. 

Sitka, Alaska, December 16, 1889. 

Sir: The Territorial board of education in Alaska has the honor of transmitting to 
you the annual report for 1888-89 of the general agent of education in Alaska, with the 
following recommendations: 

First. That the Territorial board be authorized to appoint at their discretion local 
school committees, and that the present methods be so changed that the local and inci- 
dental expenses of the schools can be audited by the local committees, and that salary 
vouchers can be paid upon the certification of the general agent, or, in his absence, of 
the district superintendent, that the service has been rendered according to the agree- 
ment. 

Second . That the United States Commissioner of Education be recommended to con- 
tract with some missionary society for the establishment of a boarding school at Point 
Hope. Alaska. 

Third. The Territorial board of education, at their session August 30, 1889, having 
recommended the appointment of a district superintendent for the Sitka district, do 
hereby recommend to the United States Commissioner of Education as a suital)le per- 
son for that position the name of the Hon. James Sheakley, United States commissioner 
at Fort Wrangell, and a member of this board. And the board further recommends 
that his salary be $400 per annum, together with necessary traveling expenses. 

Fourth. The Territorial board of education, considering it important that the general 
agent should visit San Francisco and Washington for the furtherance of Alaska educa- 
tional and other interests, do hereby request of the United States Commissioner of Edu- 
cation that his necessary traveling expenses be allowed. 

Fifth. That the United States Commissioner of Education be recommended to contract 
•with the Moravians for the establishment of a school at Togiak, Alaska. 

Sixth. That the United .States Commissioner of Education be recommended to estab- 
lish schools and erect school buildings at Belkofsky, Yakutat, Prince William Sound, 
and some point on Cook's Inlet, to be hereafter selected. 

By order of the board. 

Lyman E. Knapp, 

President. 

Sheldon Jackson, 

Secretary. 

Hon. W. T. Harris, 

United States Commissioner of Education, 

753 



754 EDUCATION REPOftT, 1888-89. 



EErORT. 

Department of the Inteeioe, U. S. Bureau of Education, 

Office of General Agent of Educatipn^, 

Sitka, Alaska, June 30, 1889. 
To the Teeeitorial Board of Education: 

Sirs: I have the honor of submitting the following report of the schools of Alaska 
for the year ending June 30, 1889: 

There are in the district of Alaska fourteen day schools supported wholly by the 
Government, four boarding schools aided by the Government, and a number of mission 
schools carried on by different religious organizations. 

From one of the public schools (Unga) no report has been received. The other 
thirteen report a total enrollment of 1,040 pupils. 

From two of the contract schools no reports have been received. The other two re- 
port a total enrollment of 195. 

No reports have been received from the mission schools. 

It is estimated that there are 1,500 children in the schools of Alaska. The total pop- 
ulation under twenty-one years of age is estimated at 12,000. 

GOVERNMENT DAY SCHOOLS. 

In the Unalaska district there is but one public school, that of Unga. 

This promising school has been without a teacher for the past year. 

On the 26th of May, 18S3, Mr. W. A. Baker, ol' New Bethlehem, Pa., was appointed 
teacher at Unga. On the 30th of June, 183S, Mr. Baker having declined to accept, Mr. 
John A. Tuck, of Middleton, Conn., was appointed in his place. By the time Pro- 
fessor Tuck received notice of his appointment it was too late to reach San Francisco 
in time to take the last boat of the season for Unga. 

Kodiak district. 

In the Kodiak district are situated the two schools of Kodiak and Afognak. 

Kodiak. — W. E. Roscoe, teacher. Total enrollment, sixty-eight. The average at- 
tendance is much larger than the preceding year and with the more regular attendance 
has come an increased interest in their studies on the part of the pupils. 

The school is graded in accordance with the California system. 

Professor lioscoe has availed himself of the preference of the children for the study 
of geography to combine with it lessons in language, writing, and spelling. 

Frequent talks are had concerning different countries, their natural phenomena, prod- 
ucts, people, customs, etc. 

Sentence building is carefully taught from the first to the fourth reader, and the im- 
provement in language is very rapid. 

Object and picture lessons are in daily use. Spelling down and recitations are occa- 
sional amusements. 

This school, like all the others, greatly needs a set of good wall maps. 

It also needs a suitable school building, the erection of which has been recommended 
by the Territorial board of education. 

Afognak. — James A . Wirth, teacher. This school has doubled, and during some months 
trebled the average attendance of the corresponding months of last year. 

The total enrollment has increased from twenty-four to fifty-five. If the schoolroom 
had been larger and more comfortable there would have been a much larger increase. 

Some of the boys have made such progress that they can carry on any ordinary con- 
versation in English. This obviates the farther use of the Russian and Aleut languages 
by the teacher. 

The great drawback to the school has been the want of a comfortable room for school 
purposes. During the coming year I trust this difficulty may be obviated, as steps are 
being taken for the erection of a school building. 

We greatly regret to announce that, owing to the state of his wife's health, Professor 
"Wirth has felt compelled to tender his resignation. 

By his ability as a teacher, his knowledge of the languages of the people, his tact and 
patience, he has overcome manyof the difficulties incident to the establishment of a 
school in a region so remote that it has but two or three chance mails during the year, 
and among a people who have not yet learned to appreciate the advantages of an educa- 
tion. With absolutely no help from the parents, he has created such an interest among 
the pupils that they have attended school from the love of it. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 755 

Sitka district, 

Hainrs. — F. F. White, teacher. Total enrollment, 128. An unnsual number of heathen 
feasts during the winter greatly interfered with the regularity of the attendance. 

It is to be hoped that the Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church, which has 
good buildings at Haines, will send a missionary there at an early date. A Government 
teacher and a missionary working together in the large Chilkat tribe would be of great 
assistance to one another. The Presbyterian Board of Home Missions has given the Gov- 
ernment the free use of their school building. 

Juneau No. 1. — Miss Rhoda A. Lee, teacher. The present has been the most success- 
ful year in the history of the school. The total enrollment increased from twenty-five 
to thirty-six, and the average attendance from nineteen to twenty-three. 

Juneau No, 2. — Miss Alice R. Hill, teacher. The total eurollmeut of the school de- 
creased from sixty-seven last year to fifty-eight this. The average attendance, however, 
increased from twenty-seven to thirty- thr e. The pupils that were the most regular 
in their attendance and made the greatest advancement in their studies were those con- 
nected with the excellent mission home conducted by Rev. E. S. Willard and helpers. 
Juneau will soon need an additional building. 

Douglass City. — Mrs. Anna Moore, teacher. The enrollment numbers ninety-four as 
against sixty-seven for 1887-88. 

The progress of the school has been more or less hindered by race prejudices. 

As by far the largest attendance was by native children, the whites petitioned for a 
separate school for their own children. As the appropriation was too small and the 
number of white children too few to justify the expense of an additional teacher, an 
arrangement was eflfected and instructions issued for the white children to attend school 
in the forenoon and the native children in the afternoon, thus having two separate schools 
with but one teacher. 

This did not prove a very great success (the average attendance of white children 
being six and a fraction), and the Territorial board of education has recommended for 
the coming year two teachers. 

During the summer of 1888 the Society of Friends erected a good school builditg, the 
use of which has been kindly furnished the Government without cost. 

KiUisnoo. — Miss May Ransom, teacher. This school has moved along quietly during 
the year. Owing to the financial difficulties ol the Fish Oil Works fewer families have 
remained in the place, and the consequent atteydance at school has decreased. 

Sitka No. 1. — Miss Mary Desha, Mr. Andrew Kashevarof, and Miss Cassia Patton, 
teachers. Miss Desha taught from September to January, when, receiving an appoint- 
ment in the Pension Ollice, she resigned and removed to Washington. 

Miss Cassia Patton, of Cochranton, Pa., was appointed to succeed her. Mr. Andrew 
Kashevarof was employed from the middle of January until Miss Patton's arrival, the 
middle of February. Total enrollment for the year, sixty-seven. The success of the 
school during the year has been most gratifying to the parents of the pupils and to the 
friends of education generally. 

Sitka No. 2. — Miss Virginia Pakle, teacher. Total enrollment, fifty-one. With an 
obligatory-attendance law properly enforced the enrollment ought to be 100 or more. 

During the year a plain but substantial and pleasant school building has been erected 
at an expense of $1,400. 

Wrangcl. — Miss Lyda McAvoy Thomas, teacher. Total enrollment, ninety. This 
model school continues to improve year by year. 

Klaicaek. — Rev. L. W. Currie and Mrs. M. V. Currie, teachers, 

The school year opened with sorrow in the death of Mr. Currie, who was the first and 
only teacher the school had ever had. 

Mr. Currie was a native of North Carolina, a graduate of Hampden-Siduey College 
and Union Theological Seminary, Virginia. He gave his life to Indian education. 

He did valuable work as teacher among the Choctaw Indians, and when a call came 
for some one to go to a remnant of Indians in Southeastern Texas that were in danger 
of extinction he went to them. While there his schooihouse was burned and his liie 
threatened. To escape the malaria incident to a long continued residence in that sec- 
tion he came to Alaska and took charge of the newly opened school at Klawack under 
circumstances of great heroism. Far away from any officer of the law he battled alone 
against intemperance and witchcraft. Upon one occasion four men attempted to carry 
away one of his pupils (a girl) on the charge of witchcraft. Mr. Currie rescued her, 
keeping her at his house. A few days afterwards they returned, reenforced by a party 
of Hydahs, on another attempt to get possession of her. While some of them velie- 
meutly claimed her, others stood near the missionary with open knives. Finally the 
brother of the girl was intimidated into paying a ransom for her. This Mr. Currie 
could not prevent, but the girl at least was saved. 



756 EDUCATION REPORTf 1888-89. 

Mrs. Carrie, beins; herself a teacher of Ions; experience, was appointed to her hus- 
band's place. Her isolation from all companionship (she was the only.wliite woman in 
the place, and for eleven months looked into the laces of but two white women), the 
absence of any officer to enforce law or look after the peace of the community, the preva- 
lence ot drunkenness, witchcraft, and other heathen practices, greatly interfered with 
the efficiency of the school. This is one of the most difficult places to conduct a school 
in all Southeastern Alaska, and needs a strong, self-reliant, energetic man for teacher. 
Such a one the board of education hope to secure. 

Mrs. Currie, with true Christian heroism, unflinchingly remained at her post until 
the close of the school year, when she resigned to return to her friends in the east. 

Howkan.— Miss Clara A. Gould, teacher. This excellent school, with an enrollment 
of 105, continues to maintain its reputation for efficiency. 

31etlakahtl I.— Teachers, William Duncan, with a corps of native assistants. Total en- 
rollment, 172. This coming year Mr. Duncan confidently expects to have a boarding 
school for boys and another for girls under way. 

SCHOOLHOUSES. 

During the year a school building was erected for the use of Sitka School No. 2, 
Buildings have also been voted for Douglas City, Kodiak, Afognak, and Karluk. 

CONTRACT SCHOOLS. 

Anvil; on the Yukon River, 580 miles from St. Alichael. A mission station and school 
supported by the Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Teachers, 
Rev. Octavius Parker and Kev. John W. Chapman. 

The school being 13,844 miles from San Francisco, its post-office, and receiving but one 
mail a year, our latest report is dated June 1, 1888, and the statistics embodied in this 
report are those for 1887-88. 

School opened August 1, 1887, with an average daily attendance of eight. Two boys 
have had sixty lessons in the first reader. Four or five other boys have broken the back 
of reading, and there is an army of stragglers who come in more or less frequently, and 
out of whom perhaps half a dozen could be drawn, boys and girls, who have a genuine 
and growing interest in the work of the school, and whose attendance is growing more 
regular. Several boys are writing in a fair, legible hand, and three can now write out 
their reading lessons in script without referring to a script alphabet. Two, the most ad- 
vanced, aged about eleven years, can write Irom dictation several of the first lessons 
with perfect accuracy, and can now understand the meaning of tlie greater part of what 
they read, and are talking English a little. They have been taught to analyze words 
phonetically, and when the teacher wants native words he can get them pronounced in 
a scientific manner. 

The total enrollment of pupils was fifty. A steam saw-mill is now en route for the 
mission and will be the first of the industries established in connection with the school. 

Bethel, on the Kuskokwim River, 150 miles from its mouth. Teachers, Kev. John 
H. Killbuck and wife and Rev. E. Weber, This season Mrs. Sarah Bachman and Miss 
Carrie Detterer have been sent out to the same station. Mrs. Bachman is the wife of 
one of the bishops of the Moravian Church and goes out to spend a year in the work. 

Bethel is 3,029 miles from San Francisco, its post office, and has but one mail a year. 

The latest statistics received are those for 1887-88 and September, 1888. Total en- 
rollment for 1887-88, seventeen. Largest monthly average, fifteen. Enrollment for 
September, 1888, nineteen boarding pupils. 

This school is under the care of the Moravian Church of the United States. 

The teachers experience a threefold difficulty in teaching English. First, their own 
limited knowledge of the native tongue, making it difficult to convey their meaning to 
the children; second, the absence of English-speaking people in that section; and third, 
the native disinclination to speak a foreign tongue. 

However, the teachers are encouraged at the perceptible improvement of their pupils 
over last year, 

Carmel, at the mouth of the Nushagak River. This school is also under the care of 
the Moravian Church. 

Teachers, Kev. and Mrs. F. E. Wolff and Miss Mary Ruber. To these has recently 
been added the Rev. John Herman Schoechert, of Watertown, Wis. 

AUh )ugh Carmel is 2,902 miles from San Francisco, its post-office, the location of 
several salmon canneries in the neighborhood, with the consequent arrival and departure 
of schooners carrying supplies, gives it several mails during the summer. Hence the 
school statistics of the present year have been received. Total enrollment twenty-five. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 757 

School opened on the 27th of Augnst, 1888, with an increased attendance over last 
year. In order to give the children from Nushagak, Togiak. and other neighboring vil- 
lages an opportunity of attending school a large barabara has been built. (This is a 
native sod house partly underground.) In this house the children from a distance are 
lodged and fed. They are allowed to go home each Friday night, returning to school 
on the following Monday morning. 

Sitka Industrial Training School. — Under the care of the Board of Home Missions of 
the Presbyterian Church. Teachers and employes, Prof. Wm. A. Kelly, superintendent; 
Rev. Alonzo E. Austin, chaplain; Mr. H. H. Lake, boot and shoe shop, also teacher of 
cornet band; , carpenter shop; Donald Austin (native), assistant carpen- 
ter; R. E. Henning, M. D., physician; Miss Anna R. Helsey, matron of the girls; Mrs. 
A. E. Austin, matron of the boys; Mrs. J. G. Overend, matron of the hospital; Miss 
Kate Rankin, kitchen, dining room, and bakery; Miss Grace Ashby, teachers' messen- 
ger; Mrs. S. S. Winans, sewing room; Mrs. Tillie Paul (native), assistant in sewing 

room; , steam laundry; Miss Ida M. Rogers, schoolroom; Miss Carrie 

Delph, schoolroom; William Wells (native), interpreter; Kate, Jennie, Lottie, Ruth 
Albany, native assistants; Josephine, Russian interpreter. During the year the school 
enrolled 170 pupils, of whom 64 were girls and 106 boys. 

Of the boys 17 received Instruction and practice in the shoe shop, 20 in the carpenter 
shop, 4 in the blacksmith shop, 6 in the bakery, and several in the steam laundry. 

From 25 to 30 boys have had instruction and practice in the cornet band. Two boys 
have been sent east to Captain Pratt's Indian School at Carlisle, Pa., one to learn the 
printers' trade and the other tinsmithing, and 4 of the girls of the school have been 
sent to Northfield, Mass., to be trained as teachers. The girls are at the expense of Mrs. 
Elliott F. Shepard, of New York City. 

The boys in the shoeshop have made 117 pairs of boys' nailed shoes, 93 pairs of sewed 
shoes, 27 pairs of girls' sewed shoes, 9 pairs of fine sewed shoes for teachers and others; 
they also have half-soled 718 pairs of shoes, and put on 327 heels and 515 patches. 

The carpenter boys have erected 4 houses, besides repairing buildings and furniture. 

The boys in the steam laundry have averaged 1,000 pieces of clothing a week, and 
the boys in the bakery have made into good bread 9(|0 pounds of flour per week 

Three of the boys during the winter netted a large fishing seine, and one has done some 
good coopering. 

Arrangements are under way for the establishment of a steam sawmill and planer as 
one of the regular industries of the school. 

Last summer visitors presented, the school with 21 brass instruments, and a band was 
organized among the pupils. 

The North Star, a small illustrated monthly paper, has been regularly published in 
connection with the school. 

Recently, in the absence of any Government reformatory, the United States district 
court of Alaska, Judge Keatly presiding, placed a boy and girl in the school. 

Extensive improvements have been made this summer by the boys on the grounds of 
the institution. 

The mission board and their employes, in connection with the school, are sparing no 
pains or labor to increase the efiiciency and usefulness of the institution, and are encour- 
aged by a manifest advance from year to year. 

The school is not only molding and lifting up the pupils directly under its care, but 
also their parents and friends. 

It is also forming a public sentiment which indirectly helps every school in the Ter- 
ritory. During June, July, and August, when the steamers come crowded with tourists, 
all the other schools are closed for vacation, and until the visitors reach Sitka they see 
the native children only in their dirt and filth, so that the impressson is formed that 
nothing can be done with them. 

To correct this unfavorable judgment and demonstrate that the natives are capable of 
civilization and education, the superintendent of the school, upon the arrival of each 
steamer, sends the tourists an invitation to visit the institution. The pupils are called 
together for recitations, singing, and other exercises. The strangers are shown over the 
buildings and taken into the workrooms, etc. The result is that these visitors from 
every section of the land carry to their homes and tell to their friends what their eyes 
have seen of the progress of Alaskan children in the schools. 

These testimonies create a favorable and growing public sentiment, that finds expres- 
sion in the annual Congressional appropriation for education in Alaska. 

OTHER SCHOOLS. 

Tlie Alaska Commercial Company, in accordance with its lease of the seal islands, 
maintains schools upon the islands of St. Paul and St. George. As their report is made 
directly to the Secretary of the Treasury, no statistics are received at this office. 



758 EDUCATION EEPORff, 1888-89. 

The Russian Grovernment, through the medium of the Russo-Greeh Church, is reported 
as having seventeen parochial schools. These have largely been taught in the Russian 
language. It is said that their bishop has issued instructions to all the priests and 
teachers to use the English language. While for the first fev? years the teaching in 
Engliah by teachers themselves learning the language will not be very efficient, it yet 
marks a step forward, and gives the promise of better things in the future. 

In the annual report of the governor for 1888 it is stated that the Greek churches and 
parochial schools in Alaska cost the Russian Government |60,000 annually. 

The Roman CatJwHc Church; with headquarters, and bishop's residence at Victoria, 
British Columbia, have a school at Juneau, and claim two in process of establishment 
upon the Yukon River, one at Kozyrof, near LeatherviUe; and the other between Auvik 
and Nulato, and one at St. Michael, on Bering Sea. These are in charge of Jesuit 
priests. 

Tfie Church of England is reported to have a school at Nuklukahyet, on the Yukon 
Elver. 

The Free 3Iission Society of Sweden has schools at Unalaklik, on Bering Sea, and Yakutat, 
at the base of Mount St. Elias. Owing to the inaccessibleness of these schools and the 
absence of mail communications but little is known concerning them. 

The Presbyterian, Church of the United States, through its Board of Home Missions, has a 
flourishing day school, with a total enrollment of 155 pupils at, Hbonah. 

This school is taught by Rev. and Mrs. John W. McFarland. It has also an excel- 
lent "home," with twenty-five boys and girls, at Juneau, under the admirable manage- 
ment of Rev. and Mrs. Eugene S. Willard, assisted by Miss Bessie Matthews and Miss 
Jennie Dunbar. This school is a feeder for the Industrial Training School at Sitka. 

It has a second "home " at Howkan, with about twenty-five girls, in charge of Mrs. 
A. R. McFarland, so well and favorably known in the Church. At both of these 
"homes" the children are fed, clothed, cared for, and trained in household duties. 
For their literary training the children attend the Government day schools. 

ADDITIONAL EULES ISSUED BV U. S. BUREAU OF EDUCATION. 

• 

August 15, 1888. — The governor of the Territory, the j udge of the United States court, 
and the general agent of education in Alaska for the time being, with two other per- 
sons, to be appointed by the Secretary upon the nomination of the Commissioner of Ed- 
ucation, shall constitute the board of education and the general agent of education shall 
be the secretary of said board, and shall keep the record of its proceedings. Three mem- 
bers shall constitute a quorum of said board. 

August 15, 1888. — All missionary, boarding, or other schools conducted by private 
persons, or under the supervision of any of the Christian Churches, which shall receive 
aid and assistance from the Government, shall be subject to the visitation and inspec- 
tion of the board of education, who shall have power to see that proper discipline is 
maintained and instruction given, and wholesome food and proper clothing and com- 
fortable lodging furnished to the inmates of such schools. 

August 15, 1888. — The board of education shall have power, and it shall be its duty, 
to prescribe courses of study for the several schools under its Jurisdiction, and particu- 
larly to prescribe what shall be the extent and character of the industrial instruction 
to be given in any or all of said schools, and the teachers of said schools shall comform 
as nearly as practicable to the courses of study prescribed by the board. This rule shall 
include such schools as receive aid from the Government. 

August 15, 1888. — Corporal punishment shall not be excessive, and shall be inflicted 
upon the pupils in attendance upon the public and other schools only in extreme cases, 
and then in moderation. Any teacher who shall violate this rule shall be subject to re- 
moval and loss of pay. The board of education will enforce this rule rigidly, and report 
all violations to the Commissioner of Education. 

August 15, 1888. — Any action taken by the Territorial board of education under the 
preceding rules shall be subject to revision and approval of the Commissioner of Education. 

July 12, 1889. — The term of the Government schools in the District of Alaska shall 
begin on the first school day in September and continue for the period of nine calendar 
months, ending on the last school day in May in each and every year, except when 
special provision is otherwise made. 

July 12, 18S9. — All schools supported by the Government shall be kept open each 
and every day during said period, except Saturday, Sunday, and the national holidays, 
which are Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, 22d February, and Decoration Day. 

July 12, 1889. — The teachers in the Government schools will be elected for the nine 
calendar months of the school year, but may be suspended or removed before the expira- 
tion of said term, at the pleasure of the Territorial board of education, subject to the 
approval of the Commissioner of Education. Tht-ir salaries will be paid at the end of 
each month or every three months, as they may elect. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



759 



ADDITIONAL EULES ADOPTED BY TEERITOEIAL BOAED OF EDUCATION. 

October 27, 1888. — From and after this date corporal punishment in the public schools 
of Alaska is entirely and wholly prohibited. 

All religious services are prohibited iuall the public schools of Alaska except Howkau, 
Klawack, Metlakahtla, Fort Wrangell, Juneau No. 2, and Haines. 

October 31, 1888. — The regular meetings of the board shall be held on the second 
Monday of January and the first Monday of June and, annually. 

June 17, 1889. — The term of the public schools in the district of Alaska shall begin on 
the first school day in the month of September and continue for the period of nine cal- 
endar months, ending on the last school day of May in each and every year, except when 
special provision is otherwise made. And each school shall be kept open each and 
every day during said period, except Saturday, Sunday, and the national holidays, 
which are. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, 22d of February, Decoration Day, and 
4th of July. All vacations on account of sickness or other cause shall be made up at 
the end of the term, provided the time of such vacation does not exceed one month. 

Table I, — Attendance. 



Howkan 

Klawack 

Wrangell 

Sitka No. 1 

Sitka'No.2 

Killisnoo 

Juneau No. 1 , 
Juneau No. 2 , 

Douglass 

Haines 

ICodiak 

Afognak 

Caramel 

Bethel 

Anvik 

Metlakahtla... 



September, 



118 



50 



October. November. December 



62 
31 
49 
51 
27 
12 
23 
21 
40 
43 
44 
47 
20 
22 
24 
162 



20 
21 
40 
47 
20 
10 
17 
19 
16 

5 
29 
28 
14 
20 

7 
124 



87 
22 
59 
48 
37 
14 
22 
47 
38 
76 
52 
41 
20 
22 
27 
166 



56 
11 

48 
43 
34 
11 
18 
28 
20 
13 
35 
24 
17 
20 
15 
124 



91 

6 

55 

47 
41 
18 
29 
34 
52 
71 
49 
37 
19 
22 
30 
162 



64 
5 

47 
37 
32 
16 
23 
33 
20 
15 
30 
19 
18 
]7 
15 
116 



January. 



89 
16 
38 
44 
44 
16 
22 
37 
34 
64 
52 
43 
19 
26 
30 
162 



57 
11 
31 
29 
34 
14 
19 
33 
17 
II 
25 
19 
16 
21 
17 
116 



February. 



71 
22 
26 
50 
46 
14 
24 
30 
26 
49 
50 
37 
19 
26 
28 
157 



47 
15 
21 
33 
32 
12 
21 
24 
14 
6 
34 
18 
17 
20 
18 
84 



Howkan 

Klawack 

Wrangell 

Sitka No. 1..., 
Sitka No. 2.... 

Killisnoo 

Juneau No. 1 
Juneau No. 2 

Douglass 

Haines 

Kodiak 

Afognak 

Carmel 

Bethel 

Anvik 

Metlakahtla . 



March. 



53 


31 


36 


27 


17 


27 


23 


17 


16 


47 


35 


47 


45 


30 


40 


18 


15 


12 


23 


20 


24 


33 


29 


30 


21 


14 


17 


50 


7 


45 


49 


33 


48 


36 


17 


37 


18 


16 


18 


25 


17 


15 


26 


16 


25 


118 


66 


69 



April. 



May. 



50 






105 
39 
90 
67 
51 
22 
36 
58 
94 

128 
68 
55 
25 
35 
38 

172 



3 .^ fl> O I O i- o _• 

o o 3 ^, c-r^ a 



134 
132 
100 
503 
503 
200 
2i5 
24.') 
167 
60 
143 
146 



38 
162 



275 

247 

317 

1,281 

1,281 

550 

1,000 

1,000 

690 

150 

323 

321 

200 

100 

95 

600 



7C0 



EDUCATION EEPORJ, 1888-89. 
Table II. — Nximier in sundry hranches of study. 



Howkan 

Klawack 

Wrangell 

Sitka No. 1.... 
Sitka No. 2..., 

Killisnoo 

Juneau No. 1. 
Juneau No. 2 

Douglass 

Haines 

Kodiak 

Afognak 

Cariuel 

liethel 

Anvlk 

Metlakabtla. 



^3 



a (s 













OS 


U) 


a 


c 


a 


& 


es 











Q 


9 


91 




17 



.1 59 
11 



130 



>, 

s c 
* 2 

a 

a 



15 



03 O 



91 
17 
59 
51 
37 
22 
26 
45 
24 
46 
68 i 37 

48 I 

20 

17 

30 1 

102 ! 



1 

31 i 38 



55 



1^ 



■2 3 
3.2 



37 
17 
14 
22 
10 



12 



Table III. — Officers and teachers, with their salaries. 
The following persons have been paid frona the school fund: 



Name. 



Sheldon Jackson i 

John H. Keatley 

A. P. Swineford 

Lyman E. Knapp, in place of Mr. Swineford, 
resigned. 

James Sheakley 

"William Duncan 

Sheldon Jackson 

W. E. Roscoe 

James A. Wirtb 

F. F. White 

Miss Rhoda A. Lee 

Miss Alice R. Hill 

Mrs. Anna R. Moon 

Miss May Ransom 

Miss Mary Desha (September to January) 

Andrew Kashevorof (January) 

Miss Cassia Patton (February to June) 

Miss Virginia Pakle 

Mrs. Lyda McAvoy Thomas 

Mrs. M. V. Currie 

Miss Clara A. Gould 

Wm. Duncan and assistants 



Occupation, 



General agent , 

Board of education 

do 

do 



do 

do 

do 

Teacher . 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

da 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 



Place. 



Sitka . 

do. 

do. 

do. 



Fort Wrangell., 
Metlakabtla .... 

Sitka 

Kodiak 

Afognak 

Haines 

Juneau No.! 

Juneau No. 2 

Douglass.... 

Killisnoo 

Sitka No.l 

do 

do 

Sitka No. 2 

Fort Wrangell.. 

Klawack 

Howkan 

Metlakahtla ..... 



Compen- 
sation. 



$1,200 
200 
200 
200 

200 

200 
200 

*120 

*120 

*120 
*80 
*80 
*80 
*80 

*100 
*80 

*100 
'80 

*]00 
*80 

*100 
t2,500 



• Per month. 



t Per year. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 

Table IV. — Teachers appointed for ISSQ-QQ, with salaries. 



761 



The board of education at its semiannual meeting, June 14 to 19, 1889, appointed, 
subject to the approval of the U. S. Commissioner of Education, the following persons 
teachers for IHtjy-aO: 



Name. 



Sliss Clara A. Gould .. 

H. S. Barrett, m. d 

Mrs. Will. G. Tliomas 

Miss Rlioda .\. Lee 

Miss Cassia Paltoii 

Mrs. W. S. Adams 

Charles Edwards 

W. H. lieid 

Miss Virginia Dox 

Miss May Ransom 

George E. Knapp 

Miss Gertrude Patton 

W. E, IJoscoo 

John Durt 

John H. Carr 

John A. Tuck 



Place. 



Howkan 

Klawack 

Wraiigell 

Juneau Xo. 1... 
Juneau No. 2... 
Douglass No. 1 
Douglass No. 2 

JHaines 

Hoonah 

Killisnoo 

SitUa No. 1 

Sitka No. 2 

Kodiak 

Afognak 

Unga 

Unalaska 



Conipen- 
sutioD. 



*S100 

*80 

*100 

*100 

*80 

♦80 

*80 

*80 

*100 

*80 

*100 

*80 

tl.OOO 

tl, 000 

+ 1,000 

+ 1,000 



Per month. 



t Per year. 



Table V. — Grants to contract scJiools. 

The board of education at its semiannual meeting, June, 1889, recommended to the 
U. S. Commissioner of Education the following coutract boarding schools: 

Sitka Training and Industrial School |1,5, OOO 

Metlakahtla schools .3,000 

Anvik (Episcopal) 1,000 

Bethel (.Moravian) 1,000 

Carmel (Moravian) 1,000 

Table VI. — School huildintjs. 

New school buildings recommended by board of education: 

Kodiak $1,200 

Afognak 1,200 

Karluk 1,200 



Table YIL— Estimate for the year 1890-91. 



School. 


Salary of 
teacher. 


Salary of 
assistant 
teacher. 


Howkan 


$900 

1,1100 

900 

900 

9110 

900 

900 

900 

600 

900 

9(10 

900 

9(10 

1,000 

1,000 

1,000 

1,000 

1,000 

1,000 












Juneau No. 1 




Juneau No. 2 


^720 


Douglass No. 1 






720 


Haines 




30O 






Sitka No. 1 


600 


Sitka No. 2 


600 


Yakutat 




Kodiak 




Afognak 




Karluk 




Cook's Inlet 




Unga : 




Belkofsky 










Nineteen day schools 


17,500 


2 940 









762 EDUCATION REPORT, 1888-89. 

Salaries of 24 teachers $20,440 

Fuel ("or 19 day schools 4, 000 

Books and stationery 3,000 

Desks and blackboards, etc 1,000 

Sixteen policemen at 815 per month 2, 160 

Support of 19 day schools 830,600 

Salary of general agent 2,400 

Salary of superintendent of Sitka district 1, 200 

3, 600 

Salaries of school board 1,000 

Traveling expenses. ■ 500 

1,500 

School building at — 

Juneau 1,200 

Douglass 1,200 

Yakutat 1,200 

Cook's Inlet 1.200 

Belkofsky 1,200 

6,000 

Contract schools at— 

Sitka -<).000 

Metlakahtla 4,000 

Unalaska 2,000 

Carmel 2, 000 

Bethel 2.000 

Anvik 2,000 

Nukalukyet 1,000 

33,000 

Total 74,700 

SnUMABT. 

Support of 19 day schools with 24 teachers $30,600 

Supportof 7 industrial boarding schools with from 40 to 45 teachers and employes 33,000 

Five new school buildings - 6, 000 

Oeneral agent, superintendent, and board of education 5, 100 

74,700 
Office of general agent. 

The general agent at the beginning of the year, being unable to secure transportation 
from Sitka to the schools of western Alaska on the U. S. S. Thetis, that was making 
the trip, requested permission of the U. S. Commissioner of Education to proceed to 
San Francisco and take passage by the steamers of the Alaska Commercial Company. 
Permission not being granted, I have been unable to carry out the instructions of the 
honorable the Secretary of the Interior to visit all the schools at least once a year. 

Indeed, for the want of tr&nsportation I have been unable to visit the schools of south- 
western Alaska since I established them in 1886, and those on Bering Sea not at all. 
This has been greatly regretted both by myself and the teachers. 

Also for want of transportation I have been unable to visit the schools at Howkan 
and Klawack, on Prince of Wales Island. 

The schools at Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell, Douglass, Haines, and KiUisnoo have been 
visited several times, and that of Metlakahtla twice. 

EECOMMENDATIONS. 

I have the honor to submit the following recommendations: 

1. An inspection of the schools of western Alaska by the general agent. — In view of the fact 
that I have been unable to reach those schools for three years, and as the time has come 
for establishing new schools in that region, some of which have already been recom- 
mended by the Territorial board of education, and as it is probable that a Government 
vessel will be sent next summer to that section to convey Government officials, therefore 
it is recommended that the U. S. Commissioner of Education be respectfully requested 
to arrange for the transportation of the general agent. 

2. Change in supervision. — In order that the general agent may for the next two or 
three years give the larger part of his time to developing the school work in Western 
Alaska, I would recommend the following change in section 4, division 2, of the rules 
and regulations for the conduct of education in Alaska, to wit: First, that the general 
agent be relieved for the coming year from the local su peri n tendency of the Sitka dis- 
trict, and be given the local superintendency of the Kodiak and Unalaska districts. 
Second, that a district superintendent be appointed for the Sitka district. 

3. Ft-rmanent school fund. — I would again renew my recommendations of 1886-87 and 
1887-88, which recommendations were also indorsed by the Territorial board of educa- 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 763 

tion, that the U. S. Commissioner of Edacation be respectfully reqnested to procure leg- 
islation from Congress permanently appropriating a sum of money for the education of 
the children of Alaska without distinction of race. 

The present method of supporting the schools of Alaska by an annual appropriation 
from Congress is very unsatisfactory. As Congress one year voted $25,000 and the sec- 
ond nothing and the third $15,000, it can readily be seen that neither the school board 
nor the teachers can arrange for the schools until after Congressional action has been 
taken, nor until such action is had can they be sure that there will be any schools. 
And not only that, but some years the action of Congress is not known in Alaska until 
three months after the fiscal school year commences. A failure on the part of Congress 
any one year to make the necessary appropriation would close the schools, scatter Gov- 
ernment property, and throw the teachers out of employment thousands of miles away 
from home and friends. 

The disadvantages of the present system need but to be stated to be seen. 

In the Western States and Territories the general land laws of the country provide 
that sections 16 and 36 in each township be set apart for the use of the schools in said 
States and Territories. In some of the States this has been a munificent endowment. 

But Alaska has no townships and no surveyed lands and no law by which they can 
be surveyed. And when in course of time the general land laws are extended over it, 
the nature of the country and the peculiar climate and the requirements of the popula- 
tion will prevent to any great extent the laying out of the land in sections of a mile 
square. Thus while no school fund is practicable for years to come from the lands, the 
General Government derives a regular revenue from the seal islands and other sources, 
a portion of which could be used in the place of the proceeds of the sale of school lands. 

4. A?i obligatorii attendance law. — The operation of the obligatory attendance law which 
was enacted by the Territorial board ot education and approved by the honorable the 
Secretary of the Interior in 1887, has been recently suspended by order of the United 
States Commissioner of Education. 

In view of the importance of some suitable law for securing the more regular attend- 
ance at school of the children of Alaska, the Territorial board of education at its semi- 
annual meeting June 14-19 took the following action: 

" Whereas it is the invariable experience of all who have been engaged or interested 
for years in the difficult task of attempting to educate and civilize the natives and Creoles 
of Alaska that the greatest obstacles to success are, first, the want of adequate means of 
securing the regular and general attendance of the children of these peopleat the various 
Government schools and, second, the stolid indifiereuce, superstition, and fear of change 
on the part of the greater number of the parents of such children; and 

"Whereas experience has also demonstrated that wherever native policemen have 
been employed and paid heretofore a moderate compensation for gathering these chil- 
dren into the schoolrooms and thus compelling attendance, not only is the average attend- 
ance itself largely increased, but an interest in the progress of the pupils and the success 
of the schools themselves has been gradually and permanently created in those native 
and Creole parents; and 

" Whereas, the Government of the United States is annually appropriating large sums 
of money for the purpose of educating and civilizing these people and employing com- 
petent and zealous teachers for that purpose, who are making great sacrifices by endur- 
ing severe privations, general discomfort, and personal isolation among an alien and 
barbarous race of people: Therefore, 

Be it resolved by ihs Territorial board of education, That the Hon. Lyman E. Knapp, 
the governor of the District of Alaska, is hereby requested and urged to embody in his 
forthcoming annual report to the Department of the Interior the suggestions we have 
made herein, with the recommendation that Congress take the subject of compulsory 
education of the natives and Creoles of Alaska into consideration, and, in addition to 
making the usual appropriations for the schools of the District, add thereto such enact- 
ments as will compel the regular attendance of the pupils at such schools as are already 
established or may be hereafter provided." 

I renew my recommendations of former reports on this subject. 

5. School police. — With the granting of an obligatory attendance law, and even with- 
out it, the appointment of a native policeman in the native villages where schools exist, 
whose duty shall be to see that the children are in school, will greatly increase the present 
attendance. 

I therefore recommend that an allowance of ten or fifteen dollars per month be 
allowed from the school fund for the employment of such men. 

6. I recommend that the honorable the Secretary of the Interior be respectfully re- 
quested to ask Congress for an appropriation of $75,000 for education in Alaska for the 
year ending June 30, 1891. 

7. In 1887-88 the Territorial board of education recommended to the United States 



764 EDUCATION REPORT, 1888-89. 

CoratDissioner of Education that the salary of the general agent of education be increased 
to $2,400 annually. 

As nothing was done, I respectfully ask the board to renew the request. 

In closing this report I can not permit to pass unchallenged the statement made by 
the president of the Territorial board of education, which appears on page 181 of the 
Annual Keport of the Commissioner of Education, 1887-88, that my annual report for 
1887-88 was recalled by the board of education in Alaska because of " a number of ma- 
terial inaccuracies in the report." My report for that year was regularly indorsed and 
approved by the board, ex-Governor Swineford not being present, on September 15, 1888, 
and forwarded to the Commissioner of Education. 

At a meeting of the board on October 31, 1888, four members being present, Mr. Swine- 
ford delivered a tirade against the general agent of education, claiming that some of the 
statements of the annual report were false aud demanding that the vote of approval be 
reconsidered. This demand was refused by the board. The report had been ofl&cially 
sent to the Commissioner, and could not be recalled, or changed, if recalled, except by 
my consent. 

However, to give Mr. Swineford an opportunity of pointing out alleged falsehoods I 
consented to a resolution (and without my consent the resolution could not have been 
passed) asking the Commissioner of Education to send the board a certified copy of the 
report, which was done. 

The report itself was not recalled, but remained in Washington, and was printed as 
usual in the appendix of the annual report of the U. S. Commissioner of Education as 
the regular official report of schools in Alaska. 

At a subsequent meeting of the board, January 23, 1889 (the general agent being 
absent), although a certified copy of my report had been received from Washington, it 
was neither read nor considered, but Judge Keatley was directed to make out a "new 
report and transmit the same to the Commissioner of Education." 

This was not a substitute for the report of the general agent, as no one could legally 
make that report but himself. It was not even a report on education in Alaska, because 
Judge Keatley had recently come into the Territory aud had no personal knowledge of 
its school affairs at that time. With his usual good judgment he did not attempt a re- 
port, but confined hjmself mainly to some general statements with regard to a few of 
the schools in soittheastem Alaska, and particularly the training school at Sitka, of 
which he had some personal knowledge. His report was never submitted to the consid- 
eration of or approved by a vote of tlie Territorial board of education. In making his 
reflections upon the report of the general agent he was evidently misled by the assertions 
of Mr. Swineford, which were never proven, and I take this first opportunity since the 
publishing of the report of 1887-88 to deny that the report ol the general agent for that 
year contains "a number of material inaccuracies." 
Very truly yours, 

Sheldon Jackson, 
General Agent of Education Jar Alaeka, 



[ Whole Nvmber 191 

U. S. BUREAU OF EDUCATION. 

REPRINT OF CHAPTER XVII OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER 
OF EDUCATION FOR 1889-90. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA 



1889-90. 



SHELDON JACKSON, 

GENERAL AGENT. 



WASHINGTOI!^: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1893. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



REPORT OF THE GENERAL AGENT I^OR THE YEAR 1889-90. 

Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Education, Alaska Division, 
Washington, D. C, June 30, 1S90. 
Sir: In compliance with, tlie rules and regulations for the conduct of schools 
and education in Alaska, approved by the Secretary of the Interior, April 9, 
1890, 1 have the honor of submittinor the following, as the annual report of the 
general agent of education for the year ending June 30, 1890 : 

A.— Number and General Condition of the Schools in Alaska. 

Alaska has 15 day schools, supported wholly by the Government, with a total 
enrollment of 1,110 pupils; 9 contract schools, containing 302 pupils, which are 
supported jointly by the Government and the missionary societies ; 10 mission 
schools, with an enrollment of 297 pupils, which are supported wholly from the 
funds of the churches, and two schools sustained on the Seal Islands by the 
North American Commercial Company, under contract with the Treasury De- 
partment, and containing 79 pupils, making a total of 37 schools and 1,788 pupils. 

I.— public schools. 
1.— UfTAiiASKA District. 

Undlaska (John A. Tuck, teacher). — Enrollment, 30; population largely 
Aleuts. 

Prof. Tuck reached Unalaska in September, 1889, and renting a house from 
the Alaska Commercial Company, opened school with an average attendance of 6 
pupils. In the absence of any school building, one end of his residence was fitted 
up as a schoolroom. So much interest was developed in the school that the pu- 
pils, with but few exceptions, continued at school during the Russo-Greek Church 
festivals, which are very numerous. Among the pupils were the grown-up 
daughters of the Russian priest. 

Prof. Tuck reports that the rate of progress was almost all that could be de- 
sired. 

With the opening of the next school year it is expected that the ladies of the 
National Home Mission Society of the Methodist Episcopal Chui'ch will enter 
into an agreement with the United States Bureau of Education to take charge 
of the scliool, several thousands of dollars having already been raised for that 
purpose. 

The building they propose to erect will be known as the " .Jesse Lee Memorial 
Home." 

Unga [John H. Carr, teacher).— Enrollment, 24; population, Russian and 
Aleut. 

Gratifying progress was made in the usual school studies and in temperance 
hygiene by those who were I'egular in their attendance. 

The teacher pleads earnestly for some rule to secure more regular attendance. 

The ladies of the National Home Mission Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church have purchased and shipped to Unga the materials for a teachers' resi- 
dence, to be known as the "Martha Ellen Stevens Cottage." 

1245 



1246 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

3.— Kadiak District. 

Kadiak(W. E. Roscoe, teacher).— Enrollment, 67 ; population, Russian, 

At the solicitation of the parents, Mr. Roscoe commenced his school a week 
in advance of the regular time of opening. The progress of the pupils proved 
very satisfactory, and the attendance fairly so. 

Much inconvenience resulted from the number of holidays of the Russo-Greek 
Church. These are more than 200 during the year, and they greatly interfere 
with the regular attendance of the pupils. 

During the year the Government erected a comfortable school building, which 
was greatly needed. 

Afognak (John Dufif, teacher). — Enrollment, 38 ; population, Russian and Es- 
kimo. 

The Rev. James A. Wirth, who had taught the school from the beginning, 
and was greatly beloved by parents and pupils alike, resigned on account of the 
health of his wife. His resignation was received so late in the season that there 
was no time to procure a teacher from the states, and Mr. John Duflf, who was 
already in that region, was appointed. 

School was resumed on the 3d of October with 16 pupils, the attendance in- 
creasing to 24 during the first week. 

From the first mauy of the parents took an interest in the school and scarcely 
a day passed that one or more were not visitors. 

Geographical exercises on the map were an unfailing source of interest ; pu- 
pils that did not know half of their letters could point out the States of the 
United States and give their names correctly. 

The ordinary school books speak of so many things that neither the children 
nor their parents have ever seen that it is difficult for them to understand what 
they are reading about. To remedy this somewhat Mr. Duff proposes to form 
a museum of common things in connection with the school and thus give the 
pupils object lessons in connection with their books. 

An interesting feature of the year was the attendance of a number of children 
from outside villages. 

The school has suffered greatly from intemperance, many of the children being 
on the verge of starvation because the parents had traded off the living of the 
family for liquor. 

Frequently, in visiting his pupils, the teacher found them hungry and shiver- 
ing in the corner of the room, and both the parents dead drunk. 

A comfortable scliool building and teacher's residence were erected by the 
Government during the year. 

KarluTc. — A good school building and teacher's residence were erected during 
the year at this important point, and a school will be opened at the beginning 
of the next school year. 

The number of villages of civilized Russians in this district requires many 
more schools than can be established with tbe amount appropriated by Congress 
for this purpose. 

Professor Duff', of Afognak, estimates that there should be at least twenty ad- 
ditional schools in the Kadiak district. 

a— Sitka District. 

Sitka, iVb. 1 (Miss Ann D. Beatty, teacher). — Enrollment, 68, or one more than 
the total number of white children of school age in the village ; population, 
American and Russian. Among the pupils of this school are the children of the 
civil and naval officials who are stationed at the capital of the Territory. 

Sitka, No. 2 (Miss Gertrude Patton, teacher). — Enrollment, 83 ; pupils, native 
Thlingets. 

With 280 native children between 5 and 17 years of age in the village, there 
ought to be some way of securing a larger attendance than 83. A simple oblig- 
atory attendance law would work a great improvement in school attendance 
among the native population. 

Juneau, No. 1 (Miss Rhoda A. Lee, teacher). — Enrollment, 33 ; pupils, Ameri- 
cans. 

This is one of the most advanced schools in the Territory. Year by year the 
public sentiment of Juneau is improving. More families are moving in, and the 
white school reaps the benefit of this growth. 

Juneau, No. 2 (Miss Cassia Patton, teacher). — Enrollment, 51 ; pupils, natives. 

The best portion of this school and the pupils that made the most rapid and 
gratifying progress in their studies were those that came from the Model Home, 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1247 

conducted by Rev. and Mrs. E. S. Willard and their assistants, Miss E. Mat- 
thews and Miss Jennie Dunbar, of the Presbyterian Mission. 

JJouglas City, No. 1 (Mrs. W. S. Adams, teacher).— Enrollment, 50; pupils, 
Americans. 

During the year a comfortable school building- was erected by the Govern- 
ment. Owing" to delay in its completion the school was not oj^iened until the 
1st of February, 1S90. The opening of this new schoolroom for the whites al- 
layed the friction of last year, when the children of the whites and natives were 
compelled to use the same room or not go to school at all. 

Mrs. Adams repoits that her advanced pupils, in addition to their ordinary 
studies, have taken up natm-al history, botany, and simple lessons in mental 
science. 

Douglas City, Wo. 2 (C. H. Edwards, teacher). — Enrollment, 92 ; pupils, native. 

Douglas Island 'being the principal center of the mining interests, many na- 
tives come from distant villages to secure work for a longer or shorter period. 
They are constantly coming and going. 

This creates groat irregularity in the attendance of the children and greatly 
Increases the work of the teacher. 

Killisnoo (Miss May Ransom, teacher). — Enrollment, 32 ; pupils, Russians and 
natives. 

JF/-ovi(/c??(Mrs.LydaMcA. Thomas, teacher). — Enrollment, 84; pupils, natives. 

During the year the chief of the village acted as special policeman to look after 
all truants from school. The result was good, securing greater regularity in the 
attendance and more rapid advancement in their studies. 

Klaimck (Mr. Henry C. Wilson, teacher). — Enrollment, 66 ; pupils, natives. 

After the resignation of Mrs. Currie, in the summer of 18X9, no teacher was 
secured until the following spring, when Mr. Wilson reopened the school on the 
1st of May, 1890. 

Jackson (Miss Clara A. Gould, teacher). — Enrollment, 87 ; pupils, natives. Dur- 
ing the winter a number of parents moved into the village for the purpose of 
placing their children in school. 

MctlakoMla (William Duncan, teacher). — Enrollment, 179; pupils, natives. 

This school is of more than ordinary interest from the fact that this settle- 
ment is composed of Tsimpseans, who, a few years ago, came over in a body from 
British Columbia to Alaska in order to secure greater religious and political 
freedom. 

Mr. Ivan Petroff, special agent for Alaska of the Eleventh United States 
Census, in his report to the Census Bureau, commenting upon the school attend- 
ance of the Sitka district, says: "Considering the nature of the population, 
widely scattered in small settlements, the showing of 1 ,049 scholars in attendance 
out of a total of 1,755 persons between the ages of 5 and 17 years is certainly a 
remarkable one. The number of natives speaking English does not much exceed 
that of the scholars enrolled." 

II.— CONTRACT SCHOOLS. 
1.— Sitka District. 

Sitka Industrial Training School, Presbyterian fProf. W. A. Kelly, principal 
with 17 assistants). — Boai-ding pupils, 164; natives. 

Professor Kelly reports: " The past year has been one of marked progress, 
both in the schoolroom and in the industrial de])artment. It is surprising 
how quickly the pupils learn English when deprived of their native tongue. 

"Our school is distinctively coeducational. The boys and girls recite in the 
same classes, dine together in the same dining-room, and, under wholesome re- 
straint, have opportunities for social intercourse. 

"A few years of sedulous training have developed in some of our oldest pupils a 
spirit of emulation, a sense of personal responsibility, self-respect, self-i'eliance, 
and self-helpfulness which command respect. Most of our large boys, advanced 
far enough to read intelligently in the second reader, are learning a trade (all 
being in school half of each day and at work half a day), and the diligence with 
which they pursue their studies, the zest with which they enter upon industrial 
work day after day is most praiseworthy of them and encouraging to their in- 
structors. 

"All of the shoes for the pupils of our school are hand-made in our shop, under 
the direction of a competent foreman. Considerable custom work is also done. 

"Our supply of barrels and half barrels far exceeds the demand, yet we con- 



1248 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

sider coopering an excellent trade for our young men. Owing to high freight, 
barrels are usually made at the fishing stations where needed, and coopers are 
in demand at those places. 

"We are always pressed with work in carpentry. The variety and scope of 
work have proved a most valuable source of instruction to the boys, most of 
whom are aptly adapted to mechanical industry. The boys have made com- 
mendable progress during the- past year. Young men who can do carpenter 
work fairly well can find opportunity to ply their trade in any of the villages of 
Alaska. 

"We have eight model cottages, six of which are occupied by young married 
couples from the school. These young" folks have been thrown entirely upon 
their own responsiblitiy and resources, and they are doing right well in earning 
a livelihood, while their houses are kept clean, neat, and homelike. The en- 
vironments of family life among the young folk, in contradistinction to that in 
vogue among the natives, tend to create new conditions and inspire new im- 
pulses among their own people. 

"The general work of the school, patching, mending, refitting, making new 
garments (aprons, towels, underwear, dresses), is no light task. Each girl 
8 years old and upwards knits her own stockings, and the large girls find 
time to learn useful tidy work in order that they may be able to beautify their 
own homes with the work of their own hands, 

"The girls are trained in every department of household industry, kitchen, 
dining-room, teachers" I'oom, etc. Our girls numbering but fifty, the matron 
and her assistants find time to give each girl individual care in the details of 
housekeeping, thus gradually inculcating and developing a sense of personal 
responsibility. 

"Our boys do the bread baking for the school, while the girls in turn are taught 
how to bake and cook for a family. This special instruction in the art of cook- 
ing is given in the teachers' kitchen, the cooking for the teachers and employes 
being dons by our native girls. They are also trained to wait upon the table, 
and they serve the teachers and guests with grace and manners. Our young 
boys are also trained in our school kitchen and dining room. 

' ' Our pupils, from the children to the adults, sing with a spirit and understand- 
ing that outrivals many of the public schools. 

' ' Our brass band of 20 members dispenses music for the school and for the town 
on public occasions. 

"We have a military company of 35 members. The guns were kindly loaned 
us by the governor of the Territory. 

"Lessons in patriotism are constantly inculcated. The Alaskans are a loyal, 
patriotic people. Rev. A. E. Austin, the veteran missionary of the school, has 
charge of the religious and devotional exercises." 

The time has fully come when a normal department should be added to this 
important school, and a beginning be made in training native teachers. 

3.— Kadiac District. 

As yet there is no contract school in this important district, but the establish- 
ment of one on Wood Island is urged by the teachers of the several day schools. 

Prof. Duff, of Afognak, writes, under date of March 21, 1890: " We must 
have, and that very soon, an industrial school in this district, into which can 
be gathered and taught, the hundreds of orphans and neglected children. They 
are nearly all as white and as capabl'e of improvement as the children of New 
England, or any other part of the country." 

Prof. Roscoe, of Kadiak, writes, under date of September 29, 1890: "In every 
settlement through this part of the country may be found poor, defenseless 
children, clothed only in rags, with no one to provide suitable food or cloth- 
ing, and living entirely on such charity as may be found among a heathen peo- 
ple. There are many destitute children, made so by the drunkenness and hence 
vagabond character of their parents. In addition to a kind of beer which the 
natives themselves make from sugar and graham flour, they succeed in buying 
large quantities of whisky from sailors and the more reckless class of traders. 
The salmon canneries are, generally speaking, a curse to the natives. The 
Chinese employes bring, or rather smuggle, immense quantities of " samshu" 
into the country, and peddle it out to the natives. In the Aleut settlement of 
Afognak, the natives have sold the very fur bedding from their huts to obtain 
this vile stuff. The winter is upon them, and until recently they had been so 
demoralized with liquor that they had not laid in the usual winter's supply of 
dried fish, their main subsistence. Without money and provisions and cloth- 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1249 

ing, what misery and want will there be in that village this wintcrj all because 
of intoxicating; liquor ! 

"While Imnteis, recently arrived from the westward, tell meit is the same out 
there. The natives are demoralized by drink. Now. Ihe future of this race is 
that, practically, they will perish Irom off the face of the }^lob(3 luilcss they are 
Christianized— and that soon. It is a fact that the children do not yenenilly 
show this terrible craving- for strong" drink. The pupilsof my school are ashamed 
of their jjarcnts" drinking, and we never see them drink any. It seems, there- 
fore, to bo x'athcr an acquired habit than an inherited appetite. It is only right 
and just that our Government take orphan children and inebriates' childi'enand 
put them in a good industrial school imder religious tt achers, who, in addition 
to moral and intellectual training, will teach them the cultivation of the soil, 
the rearing- of cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry, the elements of some of the me- 
chanical arts;. and the girls the arts of sewing- and cooking-. Such aschool can 
be and should be established in this vicinity." 

The establishment of such a school is under consideration by the Woman's 
American Baptist Home Mission Society. 

3.— Unalaska District. 

The great distance of this district from the Bureau of Education, its remote- 
ness from a post-office (2,500 to 4,000 miles), and its inaccessibility, portions of 
the field having- communication with the outside world but once a jear, have 
led to the very general establishment of contract schools in this section of 
Alaska. In these schools well-known missionary societies share with the Gov- 
ernment the expense and responsibility. 

UnalasJia. — The ladies of the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Meth- 
odist Church ax"e raising funds for the establishment of a school at this point. 

Carmel (Moravian, Rev. B'rankE. Wolff, principal, with 4 assistants). — Board- 
ing pupils, 20; day pupils, 15; Eskimo. Of the boarding pupils 14 were boys 
and (i girls. It is expected that additional buildings will be erected ,by the open- 
ing of the next school year. 

Bethel (Moravian. Rev. J. H. Kilbuck, principal, with 4 assistants). — Boarding 
pupils, 30; day pupils, 9; Eskimo. 

With regard to the school. Rev. J.H. Kilbuck reports, under date of May 28, 
1890 : " This past school y3ar has been our best, more scholars having been en- 
rolled, and in consequence a better average attendance. 

'■ The great drawback we find to be the running back and forth of scholars to 
their homes, which is not conducive to progress. We are compelled to acquiesce 
at present in order to hold scholars who have parents. The orphans, of course, 
we have full control of, and we keep them steadily at school. 

' ' The migratory habits of the people are the root of irregular attendance. The 
parents as a rule take out their children to help them in getting food and fur. 
It is only dvu-ing the season of rest that we can hope to keep a large number of 
.scholars. Of course it is absolutely necessary that the boys be trained early to 
get their living, hence we can not seriously object to the parents taking their 
children for this purpose; 

" There are instances where parents send their children to school for the sole 
purpose of having them clothed, and then take them away after a short stay. 
This, however, never occurred before this year, and we will see to it that it will 
not happen again. 

"As regards behavior we can not complain. There was a case or two of im- 
morality, but severe and speedy measures soon put an end to that, and the gen- 
eral conduct of the boys has been more manly. Several of the boys have been 
taking music lessons during the year. They have made reasonable progress 
under the teaching of Signer Weber. 

"From the reports you will see that brother Weber has taught the school all 
winter. Whenever I was at home I kept the boys in in the evening, when I would 
give them general instruction in descriptive and physical geography and phys- 
iology. These evenings were pleasant to teachers and scholars, and many of 
the latter took a deep interest in the lessons. 

"In speaking English the boys, as a rule, make but slow progress. We will 
have to resort to compulsory measures before they will take up English in earnest. 

"As in other years, the boys help in fishing, getting wood, and sawing and 
splitting- firewood, and in general work they are quite a factor. As play is more 
pleasing to boy nature than work, it sometimes takes a good command of pa- 
tience to keep them busy. The boys learn to get their food, as they supply us 



1250 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

with fresh meat during the winter and spring, with the aid of snares, ponder, 
and sliot. and traps." 

Anvik (Episcoi^al, Rev. John W. Chapman, teacher). — Day pupils, 35 ; Indians. 

During tlie summer of IsSn, Ihe school room was furnished with desks for 24 
children, which to the gi'atifica i'.'n of the teacher, were filled. The progress of 
the scholai s proved most satisfactory. 

Rev. O. Parker writes, in connection with this school : " In closing this letter, 

1 would say that both Mr. Chapman and 1 are still of the opinion that a board- 
ing schcol is a neces-ary thing for the more successful cari-yingon of this work, 
and though we realize that a common school education should underlie all in- 
struction in other branches, yet we feal it all necessary that mechanical branches 
should be taught as soon as possible. Perhaps a dozen boys' chests of tools and 
three or four sewing machines woulcl enable us to make a beginning in that di- 
rection." 

KosoriffsTcy (Roman Catholic, Rev. P. Tosi, principal, with 6 assistants). — 
Boarding pupils, 29; Eskimo. 

Nulato (Rornan Catholic, Rev. A. Robaut. principal). — No report received. 

Kingegan (Cape Prince of Wales), (Congregational, Messrs. H. R. Thornton, of 
Hampden Sidney, Va., and W. T. Lopp, of Valley City, Ind., teachers). — Popu- 
lation, Eskimo. 

The teachers report : "The natives ax'e peaceable, friendly, and intelligent, 
instead of ferocious, hostile, and stupid, as we were led to expect. We do not 
now entertaiji any fear of violence from them, and they already seem attached 
to us. In appearance they are a fine-looking set of people — robust and healthy — 
something like very good looking mulattoes, but with better features, and often 
brilliant color. In school they show as much intelligence as white children 
would under similar circumstances. We have now 65 pupils enrolled, although 
five-sixths of the populatioii are absent on trading voyages. In fall, winter, and 
spring we think we shall have at least 300 pupils. This is the largest settlement 
on the coast and would form a valuable center of missionary work for the neigh- 
boring settlements at Port Clarence, the Diomede Island (middle of strait), Kot- 
zebue Sound, Kings Island, etc. 

The children are very sweet and attractive. We have never seen any signs of 
a fight or even a quarrel among them ; nor have we seen any of them show any 
inclination to disobey their parents, a most remarkable fact, we think. 

Point Hope (Episcopal, Mr. John B. Driggs, teacher). — Population Eskimo. 

Point Barrow (Presbyterian, Mr. L. M. Stevenson, of Versailles, Ohio, 
teacher). — Population, Eskimo. 

These last three schools are in Arctic Alaska, and will be noticed more at 
length later on in the report. 

Ill,— OTHER SCHOOLS. 

Unalaklik ("Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant in America," Messrs. 
Axel E. Karlson and Aug. Anderson, teachers). — Pupils enrolled, 40 (31 boys 
and 9 girls) ; Eskimo. 

Yakiitat ("Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant in AiBerica," Rev. Albert 
Johnson and Rev. K. J. Henrickson. teachers). — Population, Thlinget; pupils 30. 

Ni(kli(kahy€t ("Church Missionary Society," London, England, Rev. and Mrs. 
T. H. Canham, teachers). — Population, Athabaskan Indians: pupils, 40. 

This school was established in the summer of 1888, and has been taught in the 
Indian tongue. Drawing all of their supplies from England by way of Hudson 
Bay and across the continent by dog train the teachers have been much ham- 
pered by the want of suitable books and other facilities. Arrangements are in 
progress to transfer this mission to the Protestant Episco^Dal Mission Society of 
the United States and reorganize the school on an English speaking basis as 
one of the contract schools of this department. 

Hoonah (Presbyterian, Rev. and Mrs. John W. McParland, teachers). — Popu- 
lation, Thlinget; pupils, 126. 

Juneau (Presbyterian, Rev. Eugene S, Willard in charge with 3 assistants). — 
Attendance, 21 Thlingets. 

This is a home where these children are taken from their parents, or received 
as homclets waifs, and lodged, fed, clothed, and trained as in a Christian family. 
It is a practical exhibition of Christian philanthropy, and is accomplishing much 
good. 

Jioieau (Roman Catholic, Sisters of St. Ann, Sister Mary Zeno, superior , with 

2 assistants^. — Attendance, 40; mainly white children. 



liJ^UCATlUiN IN ALASKA. 125J 

Douglass City (Friends, Mt. and Mi's. S. R. Moon in charge). — No statistics 
received. 

Jackson (Pi*esbyterian, Mrs. A. R. McFarland in charge with 1 assistant). — 
This is a homo similar to the one at Juneau. 

iSt. Paul Island (North American Commercial Company, Simeon Milevedoff, 
teacher). — Population, Aleut; attendance, 50. 

ISt. George Jsland (North American Commercial (Jompany, Dr. A. L. Noyes, 
teacher). — Population. Aleut; attendance. 29. 

This and the pieecdino- school on St. Paul are the two that are maintained on 
the Seal Islands in accordance with the terms of the lease issued by the U. S. 
Treasury Department. 

Through the influence of the priest of the Russo-Greek Church, the people 
are reluctant to have their children leaxni the English language. 

Mr. Charles J. Goff, Treasury agent in charge of the Seal Islands, writes in 
his annual report to the Department : " Mr. Milevedoff was energetic and un- 
tiring in his efforts to advance the pupils, but thei'e is very little interest taken 
by them in English speaking schools, so that there was but little progress 
made." 

liussian. — In addition to the above are a number' of Russo-Greek parochial 
schools, supported by the imperial Government of Russia, which -will be enum- 
erated in the tables of school attendance. 

The statistics of these schools have been furnished by Mr. Ivan Petroff, spe- 
cial agent for Alaska of the Eleventh Census. 

B.— Rules and Regulations for the Conduct of Schools and Edu- 
cation IN the District of Alaska. 

During the winter of 1890 the rules and regulations for the conduct of public 
schools in Alaska, approved by the Secretary of the Interior, June 15, 1887, were 
revised and amplified by the Commissioner of Education, and approved by the 
Secretary of the Interior, April 9, 1890, and are ^ follows : 

By virtue of the power conferred upon the Secretary of the Interior by act of 
Congress of May 17, 1884, authorizing him to make needful and proper provi- 
sion for the education of children of school age in the Territory of Alaska, with- 
out i-efei'ence to race until such time as permanent provision shall be made for 
the same, the following rules and regulations for the government of the public 
schools in Alaska are hereby promulgated : 

GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 

Section 1. The general supervision and management of public education in 
Alaska is hereby committed to the Commissioner of Education, subject to the 
direction and control of the Secretary of the Interior. 
Sec. 2. The Commissioner of Education is authorized — 
(a) To appoint district superintendents and local school committees. 
(6) To establish common schools in every settlement where there are chil- 
dren in sufficient number, and at least one school in every tribe or 
large settlement of the natives. 

(c) To enter into agreement with missionary societies for the maintenance 

of boarding and industrial training schools, especially among the 
wild tribes and more inaccessible regions. 

(d) To provide plans and contract for the erection of school buildings, and 

where necessary, I'esidences for the teachers. 

(e) To approve of the appointment of teachers and regulate the amount of 

their salaries. 
(/) To provide necessary books and other school supplies. 
{g) To make such recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior as the 

interest of education in Alaska may seem to require. 

supervision. 

Sec, 3. A superintendent of education, to be known as the general agent of 
education for Alaska, shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, upon 
the recommendation of the Commissioner of Education, and shall hold the posi- 
tion during the pleasure of the Secretary, and until his successor be appointed. 

He shall receive from the Government for his services as general agent an 
annual salary of $1,200. 



1252 EDUCATION REPORt, 1889-90. 

Sec. 4. The genei-al agent of education shall have a desk in the Bureau of 
Education ; but during the six months of the year (summer) when it is possible 
to go from place to place in Alaska, he shall give his personal attention and 
supervision to the school work in the Territory. 

Sec. 5. He shall be allowed necessary traveling expenses while on duty. 

Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the general agent to exercise special supervision 
and superintendence over the public schools and teachers in the Territory, sub- 
ject to the approval of the Commissioner of Education. 

Sec. 7. He shall have power, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of 
Education — 

(a) To select and appoint the teachers of the public schools, to prescribe 

their duties, and to fix their salaries. 

(b) To provide general rules for the government of the schools and the at- 

tendance of the children. 

(c) To prescribe the series' of text-books to be used in the public schools and 

to require all teaching to be done in the English language. 

(d) To select the location of schoolhouses, to provide plans for the same, 

to draw up contracts for'the erection of said buildings for the approval 
and signature of the Commissioner of Education, and to lease houses 
for school purposes. 

Sec. 8. Requisitions for all materials for the erection of school buildings, 
articles of school furniture, supplies of books, stationery, and other necessary 
materials for the use of the schools shall be made by the general agent upon the 
Commissioner of Education, and when such requisitions are approved by the 
Commissioner they shall be transmitted to the Secretary of the Interior for his 
approval, and when approved by him the supplies will be purchased by the Com- 
missioner of Education, and paid for as hereinafter provided. 

Sec. 9. The general agent of education, at least three months in advance of 
the close of the scholastic year, ^hall submit to the Commissioner of Educa- 
tion detailed estimates of the probable necessary expenses for the support of the 
Territorial schools for the next fiscal year, including therein the erection of 
school buildings, the pay of schdfcl officers and teachers and other employes, 
traveling expenses of the general agent and the district superintendents, rents, 
fuel and lights, furniture, school books, apparatus, and all other necessary ex- 
penses for the maintenance of the schools. 

Sec. 10. All salaries, expenditures, and other claims for the payment of edu- 
cational expenses in Alaska must be audited by the general agent of education, 
or in his absence by the assistant agent (hereinafter provided for), approved by 
the Commissioner of Educa'ion, and when approved by him transmitted to the 
Secretary of the Interior for his approval, and when so approved, will be paid 
out of the funds appropriated by Congress for the education of the children of 
the Territory. 

Sec. 11. In cases of special emergency the general agent, district superintend- 
ent, or local school committee, may incur expenditures for immediate necessary 
school purposes in advance of the approval of the Commissioner of Education, 
but such liabilities shall be only for unforeseen and necessary purposes, and shall 
in no case exceed $100. 

Sec. 12. Whenever such exti^aordinary expense is incurred the general agent, 
superintendent, or local committee making the same, shall make an immediate 
report thereon in writing, to the Commissioner of Education, setting forth the 
reasons for incurring said expense, and transmitting properly signed and au- 
dited vouchers for the payment thereof. 

Sec. 13. In the pi'eparation of estimates, vouchers, and other official forms 
and papers, the blanks approved by the Treasury and Interior Departments shall 
be used. 

Sec. 14. As far as possible the general agent shall visit each school district 
once in two years. 

Sec. 15. The general agent shall make a report at the end of the school year 
to the Commissioner of Education, which report shall embrace— 

(a) Number and general condition of all the schools in the Territory. 

1. Public schools in — 

Unalaska district. 
Kadiak district. 
Sitka district. 

2. Contract schools. 

3. Other private and church schools. 

(b) Rules and regidations prescribed by the general agent for the govern- 

ment of the schools and the duties-of the teachers. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1253 

(c) School census, monthly attendance, etc. 

1. Census of popiilation and of childi-cn of school age. 

2. Statistics of enrollment, avei-age attendance, etc. 

3. Branches of study taught and number of pupils in each. 

4. Other statistics when possible. 

(d) Personnel. 

1. General agent, district superintendents, school committees, and 

clerk ; their pay. 

2. Government school teachers and their pay. 

3. School policemen and their pay. 

(e) School houses. 

1. The number, location, and seating capacity of the school buildings 
owned by the Government. 
" 2. The number, location, seating capacity, and rental of rented build- 
ings. 
3. The number, location, seating capacity, and cost of school buHdings 
erected during the year. 
(/) Any and all information, suggestions, and recommendations that may 
be useful for the advancement of education in Alaska or that may be 
required by the Commissioner of Education. 
Sec. 16. The Commissioner of Education is hereby authorized to employ a per- 
son, to be known as the assistant agent, at a salary of $100 per month, to be paid 
out of the fund appropriated by Congress for education in Alaska, whose duties 
shall be, under the direction of the general agent — 
(a) To attend to the Alaska correspondence. 
{b) To take care of the Alaska files, 
(c) To keep the accounts with the Alaska fund. 

{d) In the absence of the general agent to audit the accounts of the teachers. 
(e) And to prepare Alaska papeis, vouchers, etc., for submission to the Com- 
missioner of Education, and in evei'y possible way to assist the Com- 
missioner and the general agent. 

SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 

The Territory of Alaska is divided into three school districts, which shall 
conform to the geographical divisions known as Sitka, Kadiak, and Unalaska, 
as follows : 

Sec. 17. Sitka, comprising all southeastern Alaska, with an area of 28,980 
square miles. 

Sec. 18. Kadiak, comprising the region from Mount Saint Elias westward to 
ZakharofE Bay, with an area of 70,884 square miles. 

Sec. 19. Unalaska, comprising the region from Zakharoff Bay westward to 
the end of Aleutian Islands and northward to the Arctic Ocean, with an area of 
431,645 square miles. 

Sec. 20. In the Sitka district the Commissioner of Education shall appoint a 
district superintendent of schools at a salary of $40 per month, and he shall hold 
the position during the pleasure of the Commissioner and until his successor be 
appointed. 

Sec. 21. It shall be the duty of the district superintendent to exercise local 
supervision over the Government schools and teachers in his district. 

Sec. 22. He shall visit all the schools of his district at least twice a year and 
keep the general agent informed of their condition and wants as to school build- 
ings, repairs, and supplies, the manner in which teachers perform their duties, 
and make such recommendations as may seem important to the best interests of 
the schools. 

Sec. 23. He shall make an annual report to the general agent of education of 
the condition of schools in his district. 

Sec. 24. He may once a year hold a teachers' association at such time and 
place as in his judgment will best promote the interest of the schoolfe. 

Sec. 25. He shall be allowed necessary traveling expenses in the discharge of 
his official duties. 

Sec. 26. Until the schools become more numerous and the means of commu- 
nication more frequent, the general agent of education shall be ex-ofBcio district 
superintendent of the Kadiak and Unalaska districts. 

Sec. 27. In any village in Alaska containing a sufficient number of suitable 
persons the Commissioner of Education may at his discretion appoint three per- 
sons who shall act as a local school committee. 



1254 



EDUCATION REPORT, ^889-90. 



Sec. 28. The duties of the school committee shall be — 
(a) To visit and inspect the schools of the villag'e, advise with the teachers, 
and make such i-ecommendations to the district superintendent with re- 
gard to the schools as may seem proper. 
{&) With the written approval of the Commissioner of Education, they shall 

provide fuel, make repaii'S on buildings, and purchase local supplies. 
(c) If a school building is under contract in the village, it shall further be 
their duty to act at the building committee and see that the contractor 
fulfills his agreement. At the completion of the said building they shall 
examine the same and certify to the Commissioner of Education tha^ the 
building has been erected and finished in accordance with the terms of 
the contract and in a workmanlike manner. 
Sec. 29. The children shall be taught in the English language, reading, writ- 
ing, arithmetic, geography, oral history, physiology, and temperance hygiene. 
No text-books printed in a foreign language shall be allowed. Special efforts 
shall be put forth to train the pupils in the use of the English language. 

Sec. 30. All public schools shall be open to all children without reference to 
race. 

Sec. 31. In suitable weather, at the opening of each school in the morning, a 
United States flag shall be raised, and at the close of school in the afternoon the 
the same shall be taken down. 

Sec. 32. The Sitka training school shall teach the primary branches of indus- 
trial education. The boys shall be taught shoemaking, cai^penter and cabinet 
work, printing, and such other trades as are of use in the Territory, while the 
girls shall be instructed in intelligent housekeeping and household industries. - 
Pupils in the Government day schools developing unusual aptness in learning 
and wishing increased advantages, shall be received into the Sitka training- 
school upon the written request of the general agent or district superintendent. 

The above " Rules and Regulations for the Conduct of Public Schools and Ed- 
ucation in the Territory of Alaska," in sections numbered from 1 to 32, inclusive, 
are hereby approved to take effect July 1, 1890. 

John W. Noble, 
Secretary of the Interior. 
Hon. W. T. Harris, ll.d., 

Commissioner of Education. 

Washington, D. C, April 9, 1890. 



dTable 1. — Enrollment and monthly attendance, 1889-90. 



Station. 



St. Paul, public day school 

Unalaska, public day school 

Urega, public day school 

St, George, public day school .. 

Auvik. contract school 

Kozoiiffsky, contract school 

Bethel, contract school 

Carmel. contract school 

Unalaklik, Swedish school 

Nuklukahyet, Episcopal school 

Total, Unalaska district. . . 

Kadiak. public day school 

Aloguak, public day school 

Total Kadiak district 

Sitka No. 1, public day school .. 
Sitka No. 2, public day school .. 
Killisnoo, public day school 



,4 


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Septem- 
ber. 


October. 


Novem- 
ber. 


Decem- 
ber. 


















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50 


50 


17 


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17 


50 


17 


.50 


17 


184 
179 
120 


30 
24 

29 






17 
19 
29 


6 
14 
20 


19 
18 
29 


16 
14 
20 


17 

17 
29 


15 






13 


29 


20 


20 


102 
273 


35 

29 














31 

25 


9A 


25 


25 


25 


25 


25 


25 


25 


150 


39 


35 


25 


29 


26 


31 


26 


31 


25 


191 


35 


13 


7 


31 


22 


39 


28 


30 


26 


157 
200 


40 
40 






30 


29 


30 


23 


30 


?6 
























1,676 


351 










.. - 
























196 


67 


42 


21 


55 


40 


52 


37 


53 


32 


180 


38 






26 


21 


26 


22 


30 


'^3 








376 


105 


--. 




81 


61 


78 


59 


83 


55 


190 


68 


45 


28 


44 


34 


45 


39 


43 


31 


190 


83 


33 


13 


34 


13 


34 


20 


35 


16 


175 


32 


12 


10 


30 


22 


25 


19 


12 


9 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1255 

Table I. — Enrollment and monthly attendance, 1559- '90— Continued. 







■a . 

O <D 


Septem- 
ber. 


October. 


Novem- 
ber. 


Decem- 
ber. 


station. 




■3 



> 


t 



4> 
bO 

< 




in 


1 
< 




20 
30 


1 


Juneau No 1 public day school 


136 
192 
105 
192 
192 
30 
189 
169 
261 
155 
300 
205 


33 
51 
50 
92 

84 
66 
87 
179 
164 
126 
21 
40 


28 
19 


25 
13 


26 

27 


21 
21 


33 

28 


80 
25 


18 
23 


.Juneau No -. public day school 


Douglas No. i, public day school 


Douglas No ~. Jjublic day school 


57 
36 


23 

25 


46 

50 


20 
30 


41 

52 


21 
35 


45 
49 


27 
40 




Klawack, public day school 


Jackson, public dav school 


45 
113 
148 


27 
52 
136 


51 
148 
150 
12 
21 


26 
88 
138 
10 
20 


91 
146 
1.50 
80 
21 


32 
96 
138 
50 
20 


80 
151 
150 
100 

21 


54 


Metlakahtla, public day school 


101 


Sitka Qonti'act school . . 


138 
68 


Hoonah, Presbyterian school 


Juneau, Presbyterian school 


21 


20 


20 


Juneau, Roman Catholic School 




Douglas, Friends school 


















Jackson, Presbyterian school 


200 
312 


25 
30 


















Yakutat, Swedish school . .. . 


3 


3 


3 


3 


3 


3 


2 


2 






Total, Sitka district 


3,093 


1,231 
101 


















3 Russo-Greek parochial schools 






































Total reported 


5,145 


1,788 






































January. 


Feb- 
ruary. 


March. 


April. 


May. 


Station. 


1 
o 


i 

> 
< 


i 



bo 

cS 

u 

> 
< 





6 
u 

> 
< 


1 


« 

fco 
a 
u 

1 


1 


<6 

u 
> 
< 


St. Paul, public day school 


50 
16 
16 
29 
33 
27 
23 
30 
40 


47 
10 
10 
20 
17 
26 
19 
24 
36 


50 
14 
16 
29 
31 
27 
28 
28 
40 


17 
13 
18 
20 
15 
26 
22 
23 
37 


50 
14 
17 
29 
24 
27 
26 
23 
33 


17 
12 
12 
20 
11 
26 
23 
20 
30 


50 
19 
20 
29 
27 
29 
19 
26 
19 


17 
11 

12 
20 
14 
28 
17 
17 
17 






Unalaska public day school 


14 
18 


11 


Unga public day school 


15 


St. George, public day school 




Anvlk, contract school 






Kosorifisky, contract school 


29 


28 


Bethel, contract school 




Carmel contract school 


23 


17 


Unalaklik, contract school 




Nuklukahyet 






Total Unalaska District 






















Kadiak public day school 


50 
30 


28 
25 


45 
31 


30 
25 


51 

28 


"34" 
23 


51 

28 


25 
24 


50 
24 


35 


Afognak, public day school 


20 






Total Kadiak District 


80 

42 
33 
9 
22 
33 


53 

20 
18 
7 
18 
29 


76 

40 
27 
24 
33 
34 
23 
3 
13 


55 

25 
9 
19 
21 
26 
20 

"i2' 


79 

34 
30 
23 
32 
31 
23 
30 
17 


57 

21 
19 
18 
20 
26 
20 
18 
15 


79 

34 
33 
25 
32 
33 
23 
29 
18 
30 
32 
99 
164 


49 

17 
U 
20 
23 
25 
20 
20 
15 
16 
15 
42 
148 


74 

58 
26 
11 
24 
30 
25 
25 
20 
66 
24 
59 
164 


55 


Sitka, No. 1, public day school 


22 


Sitka, No. 2, public day school 


9 


Killisnoo, public day school 


8 


Juneau, No. 1, public day school 


7 


Juneau, No. 3, public day school 


24 


Douglass No. 1, public day school 


20 


Douglass, No. 8, public day school 


35 

30 


.17 
23 


21 


Wrangell, public day school 


17 


Klawack, public day school.. 


20 


Jackson, public day school 


77 
165 
145 
100 


37 
88 
140 
67 


41 
129 
145 

90 


22 
72 
140 
65 


35 
100 
145 

50 


19 
39 
140 
40 


14 


Metlakahtla, public day school 


28 


Sitka, contract day school 


148 


Hoonah, Presbyterian school 




Jimeau, Presbyterian school 










Juneau, Roman Catholic school 






















Douglass. Friends' school 






















Jackson, Presbyterian school 






















Yakutab, Swedish school 


28 


20 


2 


2 




























Total Sitka District 






















Russo-Greek parochial schools 














































Total reported 





























1256 



EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90 



Table 2. — Number in sundry branches of study. 





g 


a 
o 
o .- 

0) • 


u 






p< 





6 

a 
< 


C5 


PI 




bti 




® . 

CO (T) 

ft 

a 

EH 


03 

to 

MO 


bi) 

g 







B 


be 

a 

'$■ 

(a 


to 

a> 

to 



i~t 

.a 
P 


Public day schools. 

Sitka; 

No. 1 - 


6 
23 

5 
12 

12 
16 
20 

4 
21 
28 
16 

4 


17 
11 

8 
17 

12 
£9 

8 
29 
26 
S5 
21 

5 
14 
11 
64 

2 


9 

1 

16 

11 
7 
2 
19 
25 
4 
18 
11 
6 
4 
41 


33 
35 

24 

17 

11 
11 
4 
52 
51 


""35" 

21 
35 

10 
7 
1 

14 
80 


19 
17 

10 

7 
A 
24 

4 


34 
35 

28 
22 

16 
13 
30 
52 
45 
22 
55 
16 
14 

165 
2 


8 
2 
11 

"4" 


10 
35 

23 
23 
30 

52 
80 


21 

10 


12 
3 

10 


5 
3 

2 
..... 


31 
35 

28 
35 

11 
13 
30 
52 
80 
46 
55 
15 
14 
28 
165 

12 






"0 


No. 2 


IH 


Juneau: 

No. 1 






;?fi 


No. 2 




.... 


19 


Douglas: 

City,' No. 1 


^>0 


City, No. 2 





'28" 


'^0 




"4' 


2 

23 

4 


9 


Wrangell . 


11 




'?« 


Klawack 


'32' 





v. 


Kadialf .. 


55 
16 
14 

28 
165 

9 


53 
8 
8 

28 
165 

9 


6 

4 
14 
4 

41 

3 


6 




55 
15 




18 
9 

8 
28 


105 




Uiiga 


?0 


Unalaska 






12 


Afognak ... 


9 
60 

28 




28 




18 




1^^ 


Metlakahtla 


4 


Contract schools. 
Anvik 




34 










10 


Kosoriffsky 














Bethel 


24 
21 
12 


10 
10 
108 


1 
..... 


35 

10 

148 


34 




35 
31 

148 












35 
31 

148 


'75' 


4 
6 
60 


5 


Carmel 












9 


yitka 


144 


68 


2 


100 


57 


161 


9 


36 







Table 3. — lable showing highest enrollment 18S5-1890. 





1885-86. 


188ft-87. 


1887-88. 


1888-89. 


1889-90. 


Public schools. 
Sitka: 

No. 1 


51 


55 
70 

93 


60 

71 

25 

67 

67 


51 
46 

29 
47 

52 


68 


N0.2 . . 


83 


Juneau: 

No.l 


75 


33 


No. 2 


51 


Douglas City : 

No.l 






50 


N0.2 






92 


Killisnoo 


50 
70 

87 


58 
89 
96 
124 
70 
37 
29 


44, 
106 
110 

81 
136 

81 

25 


23 
59 
91 
31 


32 


Wrangell .. 


84 


Jackson 


87 


Klawack 


66 


Hoonah 


165 


126 


Kadiak 


52 


67 


Unga •. .. 




24 


Unalaska 


45 




30 


Kurluk 










Afognak 




SO 

100 
13 


24 

186 
17 
21 


47 

170 
26 
20 


38 


Contract schools. 
Sitka 




164 


Bethel 




39 


Carmel 




31 


Nulato !Sk. 








Kosoriffsky 










29 


Anvik _ 






30 
166 


35 


Metlakahtla 




170 


179 









EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



1257 



CONTRACT SCHOOLS. 

Table 4. — Amount contributed by the ckurches to supplement the work of the Govern- 
ment. Amount apportio)xed by the Government to the contract schools for 1891-92. 



Denominations of 
schools. 


^^ 
eo >> 

a 

■S *■ 
■pi o 

o a 
^ p 

^^■^ 
> 


U 
0) 

a 

s 
13 


a 

o , 

P O +J 

2; 


■p* 
P< 

■a 
o 

s 


I? 


o 

O 00 
P! 

o 


-Paid out by the church 
during 1890 in addition 
to the amount received 
from Government. 


^ tn 

23 
■?^^ 

O S ^ 
j::; S tn 


a 

o 

a 

<s 
■a . 

(C o 

o 
o 


Mi 

a eS 

■a aj 

O (^t-t 
•w m o 




$95,000 


37 


210 
164 
24 


126 


$39,316 


$33, 346 




$15,000 

. 3, 500 

i 3, 000 

i 2,500 

''. 3,000 
^ 2,000 
[ 1,500 
1 1,000 






$10, 000 
















659. 52 








126 






3,000 








33 








Point Barrow 












2,000 








10 


29 




2,500 












1,500 
500 
500 




Nulato 














83.75 


















Prostestant Episcopal I 5. 000 


3 




35 
35 


6,000 


3,000 




Anvik 




1,000 
2,000 


350.00 


Point Hope 














JWEoravian 


11,000 


10 


50 


10 


8,412 


6,412 




Bethel 


1,500 
1,000 

""i.'ooo" 

1,000 

"'2,' 665" 


47.17 


Carmel - 
















Methodist Episcopal 


1,103 


2 




54 
30 
24 
60 


2,207 


1,007 


111.11 


Unga 














Congregational.. 


3,000 
3.000 
7,500 


2 




5,491 


3,491 


100.00 


Cape Prince Wales... 

Swedish Evangelical 

Unalaklik 


4 




70 
40 
30 












1,000 
500 


63.50 


Yakutat 














Reformed Episcopal 














St. Lawrence Island . 










3,000 


2,000 


1,000 

















* Three-day pupils are considered as equivalent to one boarding pupil. 

D.— Personnel, Salaries, etc. 
General agent of education for Alaska, Dr. Sheldon Jackson, Alaska, $1,200. 
board op education.' 



Name. 



State. 



Salary. 



Governor Lyman E. Knapp, 

Judge John H. Keatley 

Hon. James Sheakley 

Dr. Sheldon Jackson 

Mr. William Dtincan 



Vermont 

Iowa 

Pennsylvania . 

Alaska 

do 



$300 
200 
200 
200 
200 



TEACHERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



Name of teacher. 



John A. Tuck 

JohnH. Carr 

W. E. Roscoe 

John Duff 

Anna D. Beatty 

Gertrude Patton 

May Ransom 

Rhoda A. Lee 

Cassia Patton 

Mrs. W. S.Adams.., 

C. H. Edwards 

Mrs. W. G. Thomas 

H. C. Wilson 

Clara A. Gould 



State. 



Maine 

Washington... 

California 

Illinois 

New York .. 

Pennsylvania . 

California 

New York 

Pennsylvania . 

Alaska 

Kansas 

West Virginia. 

Ohio 

West Virginia, 



School. 



Unalaska 

Unga 

Kadiak 

Afognak 

Sitka. No. 1 .... 

Sitka, No. 2 

Killisnoo 

Juneau, No. 1 .. 
Juneau, No. 2... 
Douglass, No. 1 
Douglass, No. 2. 
Port Vv'rangell . 

Klawack 

Jackson 



Salary. 



090 
000 
000 
000 
730 
730 
720 
900 
72.) 
720 
720 
900 
000 
900 



' In the new rules and regulations approved by the Secretary of the Interior April9, 1890, this 
Board created in 18S7 was discontinued, experience having proved that it did not work well, and 
a system of local school committees was inaugurated. 



1258 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

TEACHERS AND EMPLOYES IN CONTRACT SCHOOLS. 

Anvik (Episcopal).— Rev. John W. Chapman, Vermont. 

Point Pope (Episcopal).— John B. Briggs, m. d., Delaware. 

Kosoriffsky (Roman Catholic).— Rev. Paschal Tosi. Mr. B. Cunningham, Mr. 
John Negro", Sister Mary Stephen, Sister Mary Joseph, Sister Mary Paulina. 

Cape Vancouver (Roman Catholic).— Rev. Joseph Treca, Rev. Paul Muset, Mr. 
John Rosati. 

Nulato (Roman Catholic).— Rev. Robaut, Rev Ragaru. 

Bethel (Moravian).— Rev. John H. Kilbuck, Rev. Ernst L. Weber, Mrs. John 
H. Kilbuck, Mrs. E. L. Weber, Miss Lydia Lebus. 

Carmel (Moravian).— Rev. Frank E. Wolff, Mrs. F. E. Wolff, Miss Mary Huber, 
Miss Emma Huber, Rev. J. A. Schoechert. 

Cape Prince of Wales (Congregational).— Mr. H. R. Thornton, of Virginia; Mr. 
W. T. Lopp, of Indiana, 

Point Barrow (Presbyterian).— Mr. Leander M. Stevenson, of Ohio. 

Sitka (Presbyterian).— Mr. William A. Kelly, principal, Rev. A. E. Austin, 
chaplain, Mrs. A. E. Austin, Miss Anna R. Kelsey, Miss Mate Brady, Mr. J. A. 
Shields, Miss Carrie E. Delph, Miss Ida M. Rogers, Miss Kate A. Rankin, Mrs. 
A T.Simson, Mr. A. T. Simson, Mrs. M. C.Devore, Mrs. Josie Overend, Mr. Ernest 
Struven, Mrs. Tillie Paul (native), Mr. William Wells (native), Mr. Edward Mars- 
den (native), William P. Arnold, M. D. 

Metlakahla.— Mr. William Duncan, teacher, with several native assistants. 

TEACHERS IN PRIVATE AND CHURCH SCHOOLS. 

Unalaklik (Swedish Evangelical).— Rev. Axel E. Karlson, Aug. Anderson. 

Takutat (Swedish Evangelical).— Rev. Alb. Johnson, Rev. K. J. Henrickson. 

Ifoona/i, (Presbyterian).— Rev. John W. McParland, Mrs. M. D. McFarland, 
Miss Dora Davis (native). 

Juneau fPresbyterian).— Rev. Eugene S. Willard, Mrs. E. S. WiUard, Miss 
Elizabeth Matthews, Miss Margaret Dunbar, Rev. S. H. King, Mrs. S. H. King. 

Jackson (Presbyterian).— Mrs. A. R. McParland, Miss C. A. Baker, Rev. J. 
Loomis Gould, Mrs. J. L. Gould. 

Juneau (Roman Catholic).— Rev. John Althoff, Sister Mary Zeno, Sister Mary 
Peter, Sister Mary Bousecouer. 

Douglas (Friends).— Mr. S. R. Moon, Mrs. S. R. Moon, Mr. E. W. Weesner, 
Mrs. E. W. Weesner. 

North American Commercial Company.— Simeon Milevedoff , St. Paul Island ; 
A. L. Noyes, M. D., St. George Island. 

E.— School Buildings. 

During the year a comfortable frame schoolhouse and teacher's residence 
combined, 31 by 55 feet in size, were erected at Kadiak, Karluk, and Afognak, 
at a cost of $2,700 each ; at Douglas a substantial frame schoolhouse, 20 by 30 
feet in size, at a cost of $1,200, and at Chilkat a log schoolhouse, 20 by 30 feet 
in size, for $350. 

EDUCATION IN THE EAST. 

Of the Alaskan children at Eastern schools. Miss Prances Willard graduated 
in June, 1890, at ayoung ladies' seminary at Elizabeth, N. J. She will return to 
Alaska this summer, and be appointed assistant teacher in the industrial school 
at Sitka. 

Mr. Frederic Moore, of the Hoochinoo tribe, whom I brought East in the fall 
of 1886, and placed in the school at Mount Hermon, Mass., will also return to 
Alaska this season as Government teacher of the school atHoonah. 

In the fall of 1887, at the expense of Mrs. Elliott P. Shepard. of New York, 
I brought to Eastern schools Frederic Harris, Henry Phillips, Minnie Shotter, 
Flora Campbell, and Florence Wells, native children, and Olga Hilton (Rus- 
sian) from the industrial school at Sitka, and Blanche C. Lewis, native, from 
Fort Wrangel. 

The two boys were placed in the Indian training schools at Carlisle, Pa., and 
the five girls "at the young ladies' seminary, Northfield, Mass. 

Frederic Harris, after making good progress in his studies and in learning the 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1259 

tinsmith business, was taken sick from peritonitis, and died in the school hos- 
pital on the 10th of June, 1890. 

Henry Phillips, havinj,' learned the printer's trade, has now gone into the 
machine shop, where he is making good progress. 

Florence Wells, Blanche Lewis, and Olga Hilton are still at Northfield. Flora 
Campbell has been changed from the school at Northlioldtooneat Orange, N. J., 
where she is receiving drill as a kindergarten teacher. 

Minnie Shelter having developed a weakness in her eyes, will return home to 
Douglas, Alaska, where she will teach instrumental music. 

This coming fall, David Skuviuk and George Nocochluke, Eskimo boys from 
the Kuskoquim Valley, will be taken East by Mrs. Bachman, and placed in the 
Indian training school at Carlisle, Pa. 

George and William Fredericks, of the Yukon Valley, will be sent by the 
Episcopalians to the Episcopal Institute at Burlington, Vt., Edward Marsden of 
the Presbyterian training school at Sitka, to Marietta College, Ohio, and Shawan 
Sheshdaak of Fort Wrangel. to the Educational Home at Philadelphia. 

Through the liberality of Mr. Rudolph Neumann of the -Alaska Commercial 
Company, I have arranged to send to the California normal school for teachers 
at San Jose, Miss Mat tie Salamatoff, orphan daughter of a former Russo-Greek 
priest at Belkoffsky. 

When Alaska secures much needed laws to increase regular attendance of the 
native childx'en at school, then there w-ill be room and a call for many native 
teachers. 

SCHOOLS ESTABLISHED IN ARCTIC ALASKA. 

In the extension of the school system over all Alaska a commencement has 
been made within the Arctic Circle. Contract schools have been established at 
Point Barrow, Point Hope, and Cape Prince of Wales, the three principal vil- 
lages on the Arctic coast of Alaska. 

This commencement involves much that is new and unusual in school work. 
The location of the schools is in a region so remote and inaccessible that they 
are outside the world's commerce. In August, when the ice will permit, a few 
whalers sail by, and a United States revenue marine steamer makes an annual 
call, bringing the yeai'ly mail and supplies. With the departure of the steamer 
the settlement is cut off for another eleven months from the world. There are 
years, however, when the northernmost school, Point Barrow, can not be reached 
at all during the season, and the teacher will be two years without a mail or a 
fresh supply of provisions. And there is always the liability that a succession 
of severe seasons will isolate him for several years. 

Under the shadow of this possibility it is a relief to know that at this station, 
where the greatest danger is, the Government has a refuge station for ship- 
wrecked whalers, with provisions in store sufficient to last 20 men 5 years. If 
this supply should be exhausted before relief came, the teacher would be com- 
pelled to adopt the diet of the country, to wit, whale blubber and seal meat. 

The food, clothing, and supplies for the teachers and the supplies for the 
schools must needs be taken annually on a Government vessel or a chartered 
schooner from San Franciso, between 3,000 and 4,000 distant. 

In an area as large as all of the New England and Middle States combined, 
the three schools recently established occupy only the strategic places, separated 
hundreds of miles from each other. They are the central points from which 
future schools may be established. 

The location of these schools in a region where the winter term is one long 
night presents new problems. The constant need of lamps in the schoolroom 
is a matter of course. But a greater difficulty is experienced in the confusion 
of time which arises from the absence of the sun to mark the alternate periods 
of day and night. 

Without a marked difference in the light between noon and midnight, all 
knowledge of time among a barbarous people becomes lost. They know no 
ditference between 9 o'clock a. m. and 9 o'clock p. m. Consequently, when the 
school bell rings out into the Arctic darkness at 9 o'clock a. m. some of the 
pupils have just gone to bed, and are in their first sound sleep. Roused up and 
brought to the schoolroom, they fall asleep in their seats. Many of the pupils 
have come to school without their breakfasts; with sleepy bodies and empty 
stomachs they are not in the best condition to make progress in their studies. 
Then, bearing in mind the fact that these children are wholly undisciplined and 
unaccustomed to restraint, the greatness of the task before the teacher begins 
to be appreciated. 
15953 2 



1260 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

The schools are for the Arctic Eskimo, with their strange tongue and unwrit- 
ten language. Consequently at the opening of school the teacher could not 
understand what the pupils said or the pupils understand the instruction of 
the teacher. In two or three schools the teachers were unable to secure inter- 
preters. 

The schools being loeatel among an uncivilized and bai'barous people, living 
in earth huts and disregai-ding all the laws of health, it became necessary, not 
only to erect the schoolhouse, but also the teacher's residence, and, as far as 
possible, make both cold-proof with double walls, floor, and roof. 

The Materials for these houses had to be taken from San Francisco on a 
chartered vessel, landed through the breakers on a coast without a harbor, and 
carried on the shoulders of men and women to the site of the buildings. 

Again, the schools were located among a people who were not only uncivilized, 
but also were reported by the whalers to be savages. At one of the stations 
whalers have for years been afraid to drop anchor lest they should be attacked 
and murdered by the natives. At that station two young men are in charge of 
the school. They are the only white men in that region and thousands of miles 
from troops or even a policeman. Further, the schools are located am mg a fam- 
ishing population where the t?achers have to do not only with the intellectual 
training, but also with the physical well-being, the general uplifting of the 
whole population out of barbarism into civilization. This involves questions of 
personal cleanliness, health, diet, improved habitations, di^ainage. and above all 
at present an increased food supply. The people are on the verge of starvation, 
and the schools must provide and instruct them in new industries which will 
furnish a better support. 

As the schools will necessarily be much of the time out of the reach of con- 
trol and supervision, the cooperation of well-known and responsible missionary 
organizations was sought, with the result that the American Missionary Associ- 
ation of the Congregational Church took charge of the school at Cape Prince of 
Wales, on Bering Straits, the Episcopal Missionary Society the one at Point 
Hope, and the Presbyterian Home Missionai\y Society the one at Point Barrow. 

The money for the establishment of the school at Point Barrow and the erec- 
tion of the buildings was contributed by Mrs. Elliott P. Shepard, of New York; 
that for Cape Prince of Wales by the Congregational Church of Southport, 
Conn. 

Cape Prince of Wales is the most western school in America, and Point Barrow 
the most northern. Point Barrow is farther north than the celebrated North 
Cape of Europe. These schools are assisted by tho United States Bureau of Ed- 
ucation. While negotiations were in progress with the missionary societies, an 
appeal was published in a number of the newspapers of the United States for 
volunteer teachers for the schools to be established at Point Barrow and Cape 
Prince of Wales. The call set forth the facts that the schools were beyond the 
pale of civilization, where communication with the outside world could be had 
but once a year ; that they were among a barbarous and perhaps savage people, 
where the risks wei"e so great that ladies would not be allowed to go, and where 
the lives of the men would not be guarantied. Notwithstanding the hazardous 
and trying nature of the work, there were2i applicants for the schools, some 12 
of whom were ladies. 

Prof. L. M. Stevenson, of Versailles, Ohio, was selected for Point Barrow; 
Dr. John B. Driggs, of Delaware, for Point Hope; and Mr. H. R. Thornton of 
Hampden Sidney, Va., and Mr. W. T. Lopp, of Valley City, Ind., for Cape Prince 
of Wales. 

A vessel, the Oscar and Ilattic, was chartered at San Francisco to take up the 
materials for the buildings and supplies for the teachers and schools. The 
teachers found passage as far as Port Clarence, Bering Sea. on the steamer Jm- 
nie, tender to the whaling fleet, and from Port Clarence to destination on the 
whalers. 

I was kindly furnished transportation on the U. S. R. M. S. Bear. 

At noon on the Fovu-th of July the Bear dropped anchor in the open road- 
stead oflf the village Kingegan, Bering Straits. That afternoon, on the shores 
•>eparating' the Arctic Ocean from Bering Sea, and in front of the snow-capped 
mountains of Asia, plainly visible for miles, we celebrated our Fourth of July by 
laying the foundations of the first ijublic-sehool building in Arctic Alaska. 

Upon the completion of the school building the Bear weighed anchor, sailed 
through Bering Straits into the Arctic Ocean, and 200 miles to the north waid 
dropped anchor under the light of the midn'ght sun at Point Hope. 

Here again all hands that could be spared were sent ashore to work at the 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1261 

school building. After completing the building we again turned our faces to- 
ward the North Pole. 

After various detentions by the great ice field of the Arctic, on the 'Slst clay 
of July we reached Point Barrow, over 800 miles north and east of Jioring Straits. 
The next day, running before a gale, we rounded the northern end of the con- 
tinent and anchored on the eastern side of the Point. 

On tbe northernmost blutT of the continent was established probably the north- 
ernmost school in the world. 

SUPERVISION. 

Through the special permission of Hon. William Windom, Secretary of the 
Treasury, and the courtesies of Capt. L. G. Shepard, Chief of the Revenue Ma- 
rine Service, Capt. M. A. Healy, commanding the U. S. R. M. S. Bear, and 
Capt. A. C. Coulson, commanding the IJ. S. R. M. S. Bush, I was able to inspect, 
for the first time m four years, the schools at Afognag, Kadiak, Unga, and Una- 
laska, and also visit the settlements on the Bering Sea and Arctic coasts of 
Alaska. 

Mr. Windom, in furnishing meTvith transportation, recognized the fact that 
the revenue vessels visiting the native settlements of Alaska had, " in addition 
to routine duties, the philanthropic work of caring for and assisting the native 
peoples." 

In a letter concerning the trip he says: " The ordinary duties of the revenue 
marine have been greatly augmented on the North Pacific and Arctic station by 
the service which it renders in affording aid and protection to the natives, who 
are often in peril and distress from the rigors of the climate, the exposed con- 
dition of the country, and their lack of knowledge in the ways of civilization. 
The service is doing good missionary work, and is an important factor among 
the instruments which ai'e being utilized to improve the interests of these 
people."' 

The trip of the U. S. R. M. S. Bear was the ordinary annual cruise of one of 
the U. S. Revenue Marine steamers in Alaskan waters. 

Season after season she goes north in the spring to enforce the revenue laws 
and practically do police duty around the seal islands of Bering Sea and the 
native settlements stretching from Kadiak 1, 500 miles to Attn, and from Unalaska 
1,200 miles northward t > i-'oint Bari'ow. In vast stretches of coast (frcm 10,000 
to 12,000 miles is a season's cruise), unknown to civilization, the flag of the reve- 
nue steamer is the only evidence of the authority of the Government ever seen 
and the only protection afforded. When Capt. Healy commenced cruising in 
these waters, schooners loaded with rum, were visiting every native settlement 
along the vast coast, and even some of the whalers were not above trafficking in 
the accursed stuff. The temptations were great, when a bottle of whisky would 
purchase $200 worth of furs, and the profits were a thousand fold. At that time 
intemperance was threatening the extinction of the native race. Through the 
vigilance and tact of Ca];t. Healy this trade has been almost entirely broken up. 

It is also the duty of the revenue cutter, as far as possible, to be on hand to 
assist when disaster or shipwreck overtakes the whalers, to search after missing 
vessels, to note the bearing of different points of land, islands, etc., to determine 
• the position of all bars and reefs encountered, to keep ai'ecord of tides and cur- 
rents, to take meteorological and astronomical observations for the benefit of 
commerce, to investigate scientific phenomena, and inquire into the mode of 
life, political and social relations of the native population, and make collections 
for the Smithsonian Institution, and to perform many other services beneficial 
to commerce, science, and humanity. 

This year, in addition to the ordinary routine, the commanding officer is 
charged with several special duties. In 1887-'88, Congress voted $1 ,000 for pres- 
ents to the natives near Cape Navarin, Asia, as a reward for having fed and 
cared for some American sailors wrecked on their coast. These presents were 
to be distributed on this trip. 

Then, scattered through Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean are islS,nds and 
lands so remote and inaccessible that the ordinary census taker can not reach 
them: hence the commanding officer of the revenue cutter was appointed a 
special agent for the taking of the Eleventh Census in those places. This gave 
me an opportunity of visiting these little known regions. 

Again, the steamer was charged with the duty of conveying the material for 
a storehouse and a supply of provisions for the Government refuge station at 
Point Barrow; and last, but not least, the commanding officer was anthorized to 



* 
1262 EDUCATION EEPORT, 1889-90. 

furnish such assistance as he could in the erection of school buildings at Cape 
Prince of Wales and Point Hope, and give the general agent of education for 
Alaska every facility for visiting the native settlements on the coast. 

At 4 o'clock on the morning of the 3d of June, 1890, we steamed out of the har- 
bor of Seattle. At 9 o'clock that evening we swept by the light-house at Cape 
Flattery and passed out to sea. 

For nine days and nights we sailed steadily west, without seeing land or sail 
and scarcely a bird or fish. On the evening of June 12 land was sighted, which 
proved to be Unimak Island. The next morning, rising early, we were passing 
through Akutan Pass. The storm and fogs and rough waves of the pi-eceding 
days were gone ; the water was as qviiet as a millpond. Pinnacles of rocks, iso- 
lated and in groups, were to the right and to the left of us ; bold headlands thou- 
sands of feet in height ; mountain slopes covered with mosses of every variety 
of shade and great patches of snow ; volcanoes with their craters hid in the 
clouds were on either side, and all lighted up by the morning sun made a scene 
of surpassing loveliness and beauty. In due time we swept by Cape Erskine, 
rounded Priests Rock, and were in Unalaska Bay. Twelve miles up the bay 
and we were at Iliuiuk, better known as Unalaska, the commercial metropolis of 
the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea. 

The Aleutian Ai'chipelago consists of anarrow chain of islands, extending from 
the end of the Alaskan Peninsula in a general westerly direction for a thou- 
sand miles to Attu, the westernmost limit of the land possessions of the United 
States. This chain of islands separates Bering Sea from the Pacific Ocean, and 
gives coloring to the Russian claim of a "closed sea." 

The discovery of these islands by Europeans is due to the unbounded ambi- 
tion of Peter the Great of Russia, who, having founded a Russian empire in Eu- 
rope and Asia, would also found one in America. 

The western coast of America had been explored as far as Cape Mendocino, 
California, but from California north it was a vast unknown region— " the great 
northern mystery, with its Anian strait and silver mountains and divers other 
fabulous tales." 

To solve these mysteries, to determine whether Asia had land communication 
with America, to learn what lands and people were beyond his possessions on 
the eastern coast of Siberia, and to extend his empire from Asia to America, 
Peter the Great, in 1724, ordered two expeditions of exploration and placed them 
both under the command of Vitus Bering, a Dane in the Russian service. The 
expedition set out overland through Siberia on January 28, 1725, under Lieut. 
Chirikoff. 

Three days later the Emperor died, but the expeditions were energetically 
pushed by his widow and daughter. The first expedition, from 1725 to 1730, ex- 
plored Bering Straits, and settled the question of separation between Asia and 
America. 

The second expedition was fitted out by the Empress Catharine, and consisted 
of two vessels, the St. Paul, commanded by Bering himself, and the St. Peter, 
in charge of Alexei Uich Chirikoff, second in command. The expedition was 
accompanied by several scientists and sailed from Avatcha Bay, Kamtschatka, 
on June 4, 1741. This ill-fated expedition discovered the mainland of Alaska 
and the Aleutian Islands. But the remnant that brought back the news of the 
discovei'y of northwestern America, also brought with them the beautiful furs 
of the sea otter, and wide-awake merchants were not slow to see their opportu- 
nity. As the adventurous hunt for the little sable had led the hardy Cossack 
and extended Russian dominion from the Ural Mountains across Asia to Kamt- 
schatka and Bering Sea, so now the hunt for the sea otter was to extend Rus- 
sian settlement 2,01)0 miles along the coast of America. 

A few months after the return of Bering's expedition in the spring of 1743, 
Emilian Bassof formed a partnership with a wealthy Moscow merchant, built a 
small vessel named the Kapiton, and commenced the fur trade of the newly dis- 
covered islands. On his second trip, in 1745, he collected 1,600 sea otters, 2,000 
fur seals, and 2,000 blue Arctic foxes. 

This was the commencement on the part of the merchants of Siberia of a mad 
race after the furs of Alaska — a race so mad that they could not wait the secur- 
ing of proper materials for the building of safe vessels and the procuring of 
trained seamen. Boats were hastily constructed of planks fastened together 
with raw hide or sealskin thongs. In these unseaworthy boats, without charts 
or compass, they boldly ventured to sea, and the half of them found a watery 
grave. Those that did return in safety with a fair cargo received from 2,000 to 
3,000 roubles each as their share of the profit. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1263 

On the 26th of September, 1745, for the first time the -discharge of fii-earms 
was heard on the Aleutian Islands. A native was shot on the island of Agoto 
by a party of Russians under Chuprof. 

Then commenced a reign of lust, robbery, and bloodshed, which lasted for 50 
years. One Feodor Solovief is reported to have alone killed 3,000 Aleuts. Ve- 
niaminof , who was the leading Greek priest and first bishop in Alaska, declares 
that during that dreadful period Aleuts were used as targets for Russian prac- 
tice in firing ; that one Solovief, finding the inhabitants of several of the Una- 
laska villages assembled on Egg Island, made an attack, slaughtering men, 
women, and children, until the sea was covered with the blood of the slain. 

One Lazaref threw over precipices, cut with knives, and split open with axes 
a number of Aleuts. 

Whole villages were massacred by the Russians, so that Lieut- Sary, chief of 
the Russian navy, who accompanied Capt. Billings's expedition in 1790, declares 
that it was a very moderate estimate to place the number murdered at 5,000. 

This first half-centui-y of Russian occupation can be roughly summarized as 
follows : On the credit side, from $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 worth of furs ; on the 
debit side, thousands of Russians drowned, died of scurvy, and killed by natives, 
and thousands of natives needlessly murdered by the Russians. 

A better day dawned for the poor natives of Alaska in the coming of Grigor 
Ivanovich Shelikof. a merchant of Okhotsk, who has been justly styled the 
founder of the Russian colonii?s in Alaska. He introduced reforms in the meth- 
ods of hunting, redressed abuses, formed permanent settlements, and procured 
concessions and power from the Emperor. 

The work commenced by him was afterwards enlarged by Alexander Baranof. 

The largest and most important of the Aleutian Islands is Unalaska. This 
island is 120 miles long and 40 wide. It contains three separate groujas of moun- 
tains. It also has an active volcano. Makushin, 5,474 feet high. Prom a cave 
at the southern end of the island were taken eleven mummies for the Smithso- 
nian Institution. 

It also possesses several deep bays, of which Unalaska is one of the longest. 
In their season codfish, salmon, halibut, and herring abound in those waters. 

The island was first sighted by Lieut. Chirikof. of Bering's expedition, on the 
4th of September, 1741. The first landing was made by a merchant of Turinsk, 
Stepan Glottof, in the vessel Yulicm. This was in the fall of 1759. Glottof gave 
the world the first map of that region, and is said to have baptized many of the 
natives into the Greek faith. 

To the average American the Aleutian Islands seem so remote, and concerning 
them so little is knjwn, that but few think of them as having been the theater 
of stirring events and as having a history extending back one hundred and fifty 
years, but such is the case. 

Unalaska shares with the other islands in that history. For thirty years it 
was a struggle between the rapacious, cruel, and bloody fur-trader and the Aleuts 
striving to preserve their homes and freedom. The end was the complete sub- 
jugation of the natives. 

In January ,'1762, a party of fur hunters, under the leadership of Golodof and 
Pushkaref . landed upon the island. Owing to their excesses against the natives, 
several were killed and the rest fled the island the following May. But the 
island was too rich in furs to be given up. That same fall another party came 
under the leadership of Drushinnin. Outraging the natives, the latter com- 
menced on the 4th of December a series of attacks which resulted in the break- 
ing up of the Russian settlement, only 4 out of 150 men escaping with their 
lives. 

In August, 1763, Capt. Korovin, of the vessel St. Tmfsfca, formed a settlement. 
This also was broken up by the natives. 

In 1764 Capt. Solovief formed a settlement. His stay on the island was marked 
by such bloody atrocities that the few who survived were completely subjugated. 
His name has come through a hundred years of local tradition as the synonym 
of cruelty. Among other things, it is said that he experimented upon the pen- 
etrative power of his bullets by binding 12 Aleuts in a row and then firing through 
them at short range. The bullet stopped at the ninth man. 

In 1770, wben the American colonists were preparing themselves for the 
struggle for independence, the struggle of the Aleuts was ending. They had 
given their lives in vain. The few who were left could no longer maintain the 
unequal conflict and were reduced to practical slavery. 

But Unalaska has since seen better days and been visited by a better class. 
On the 16th of September, 1768, Capt. Levash "f , in charge of a Russian scien- 
tific expedition, dropped his anchor and wintered on the island. 



1264 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

In 1778 it was visited by the celebrated Capt. Cook with his ships Besolution 
and Discovery. On tlie 21st of July, 1787, Capt. Martine, in command of two 
Spanish vessels on a tour of exploration, landed and took possession of the island 
in the name of the King of Spain. 

In 1709 Unalaska was visited by one of the most remarkable men of the day, 
Alexander Baranof, who was to rule Alaska for the next twenty-eight years, 
bring- order out of confusion, and, cari-ying out and enlarging the plans of the 
merchant Shelikof, create a Russian empire in America. 

On the 30th of September of that year, the ship Trekh Sviatiteli, upon wliich 
he had embai^ked for Kadiak Island, was wrecked and he was compelled to 
spend the winter at Unalaska. He improved his time by studying the character 
oi the people with whom he had to deal, and forming the plans which he after- 
wards so successfully executed. In 1808 a rude log chapel was erected for the 
worship of the Greek Church. This was torn down in 182() and a better church 
built in its place. In or about 1795 a Greek priest, Father Makar, took up his 
abode on the island, and had great success in baptizing the natives. 

He was followed in 1824 by Innocentius Veniaminof , who was made bishop of 
all Alaska in 1840. He was subsequently recalled to Russia and made metro- 
politan of Moscow , the highest ecclesiastical position in the Russo-Greek Church. 

On the 25th of June, 1791, the island was visited by Capt. Billings, in charge 
of the Russian ' ' astronomical and geographical exposition for navigating the 
frozen sea and describing its coasts, islands," etc. 

In August, 1815, the place was visited by the Russian exploring expedition in 
seai'ch of the " Northwest passage " on the Burik, Otto von Kotzebue command- 
ing. 

In 1827 a Russian exploring expedition, under the command of Capt. Lutke, 
visited the island. 

From the beginning of Russian rule to the present day, it has been the com- 
mercial metropolis of the Aleutian Islands and Bering- Sea. 

But after all this stirring history of a century and a half, it is rather disap- 
pointing to learn that up to twenty years ago, when the Americans took pos- 
session, it was still a small village of barabaras or dirt huts, partly under ground, 
the Russian conquerors having largely adopted native ways of living. Since 
then the village has been greatly improved and almost rebuilt at the expense of 
the Alaska Commercial Company. They have erected 18 small, but comforta- 
ble frame cottages for their employes, together with residences for officers, 
store, wharf, and warehouses. The village has a population of from 14 to 20 
white men, two white women, and about 400 Aleuts and Creoles. The Greek 
Church has a church and parsonage and school-house. 

Upon landing, I was met by Frof. John A. Tuck, who, with his estimable 
wife, is in charge of the Government school. The thi-ee days that the steamer 
lemained at Unalaska were given to the work of the school. 

The first year of their work has been unexpectedly successful, and I felt, with 
the teachers, that the time had come for the commencement of the " Home," 
which the Methodist Woman's Home Missionary Society of the United States 
have had under advisement for two or three years, and for whick, under the 
leadershipof Mrs.L. H. Daggett, of Boston, they have been raising funds. 

During my stay I had the satisfaction of seeing the "Home" commenced by 
Professor and Mrs. Tuck taking into their family two orphan girls from the 
island of Attn. A suitable building for the "Home" will be erected by the 
Methodist ladies this coming spring. 

On Sabbath morning I attended the Greek Church and saw the services in 
connection with the baptism of children. Fourteen infants were presented be- 
fore the altar of the church. The priest had in his hand a silver spoon with a 
handle about a foot long, and a bowl about the si/e of that of a spoon for a sa,lt- 
cellar. With this spoon the priest dijiped water from a silver cup into the mouth 
of the babe, the attendant priest holding a napkin under the child's chin. After 
receiving the water, the cup was pressed to the lips of the babe. The mother 
or godmother then carried it to a side table, where it received a small piece of 
bread, and if old enough, a drink of water to wash down the bread. From the 
bread table, the child was carried to the altar platform, and its lips pressed to a 
picture of the Virgin and Child. The babe was then kissed by its god-mother. 
These babes were dressed in long white di'esses, with a blue or red silk ribbon 
or sash around the waist. 

On the morning of the 17th of June the Bear sailed for Bogoslof Island. 

Four or five miles^iwest of Unalaska Island is that of Umnak. From its north- 
ern side, stretching out for miles into Bering Sea, is a reef. At the time of 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA;^^ 1265 

Ciipt. Cook's visit, in 1778, the nortlieru end of this reef was marked by a i-ock 
87;") feet high rising from the sea in the foi'm of a tower. This he named " Shij) 
Rock." 

On the 18th of May, 179(i, during a violent storm, from the northwest, the 
inhabitants of Unakiska and Uranak [slands were startled by distant explosions 
and rumbling- shocks of an earthquake. On the morning- of the third day, when 
the sky had cleared, it was found that an island II miles long, and Ihree-fourths 
of amile wide, in the formof a cone 2,240 feethigh, had been thrown up out of the 
sea 1.200 feet distant from Ship Rock. Eight years a'terwards, some hunters visit- 
ing the spot found the adjacent sea still warm and the rocks too hot for landing. 

The island continued to grow in circumference and height until 1823. Since 
then it has gradually decreased in height until in 1884 it measured but 324 feet. 

In 1882 the natives reported Bogoslof as again smoking. On the 27 th of Septem- 
ber, 1883, Capt. Anderson, of the schooner Mathcw lurner, sailed partly around 
the island. He reported thata new island had appeared one^haU' of a mile in cir- 
cumference, and was throwing out great masses of rock and smoke and steam. 

On the 20th of October, I88.i. a shower of volcanic ashes fell at Unalaska, and 
was supposed to come from this island. The first landing and official investigation 
was made on the 21 st of May, 1884, by Capt. M. A. Healy, commanding United 
States Revenue Steamer Corunn. 

The new cone proved to be ab^ut 1,760 feet from the old one, the two being 
c:)nneeted by a low sandspit 32G feet wide, with Ship Rock on the spit between 
the two cones. The extreme length of the island was found to be 7,904 feet, its 
general trend BE. by E. and NW. by W. 

From the 17th to the 22d of last February the sky was obscured with a cloud 
of ashes, a liberal shower of which fell in the village of Unalaska, 50 miles away. 
A pillar of flame and smoke ascended high into the heavens. It has been vari- 
ously estimated from 4 to 15 miles high. 

The first white man to pass by was Capt. Everett E. Smith, of the steam whal- 
ing bark Balcena, who reported the appearance of four new islands in the vicin- 
ity. 

It was therefore with feelings of more than oi'dinary interest that in the early 
morning of Tuesday, June 17. we steamed from Unalaska, bound for Bogoslof. 
Long before we reached the island, great white clouds of steam were seen upon 
the horizon. As we approaclied nearer all eyes were eagerly bent and glasses 
trained \\\)0n the land looming- above the horizon. But the captain was puzzled. 
He could not make out his landmarks. The two volcanic cones were all right, 
but where was Ship Rocky Soon we were among myriads of birds which had 
chosen these inaece.^sible and warm rocks for their breeding ground. 

Capt. Healy with his glass went to the masthead. Two men were placed in 
the chains to throw the lead. We steamed on and on until it seemed as if we 
would steam into the volcano itself ; sulphurous smoke enveloped us, almost 
strangled us. Amid the roar of the breakers and the screaming of the birds 
the leadman called out, '• No bottom at 17." Where previously the captain had 
anchored in 8 fathoms of water, no bottom was now found at 100 fathoms. Ap- 
parently the bottom of the sea had fallen out, carrying with it the four islands 
reported only a few weeks before by Capt. Smith. We steamed in safety over 
their former sites. More than that, the center of the island had dropped out, 
and where for centuries Ship Rock had stood, a well-known mark to the mar- 
inesr, was now a lake. 

It was with peculiar sensations that we steamed partly around the island, so 
close that we could look into the sulphur-lined steam vents, and, enveloped in 
its steam, could almost imagine that we saw "fire and binmstone." 

The captain had intended making a landing and an investigation of the phe- 
nomena, but failing to find an anchorage, and the wind having freshened so that 
it was unsafe landing through the breakers, he reluctantly turned away and 
steamed for the Seal Islands. 

For years the careful observers of the movements of the seal among the early- 
hunters on 1 he Aleutian Islands had noticed that they went north in spring and 
returned in the fall, accompanied by their young, and a tradition existed among 
the natives that an Aleut had once been cast away upon islands to the north, 
which they called Amik. When in_17Sl the usual catch of fui*s began to de- 
crease upon the Aleutian Islands, ettorts were made to discover this supposed 
island. In 1786 the search was joined by Master Gerassim Gavrilovich Pribylof, 
in the vessel 67. George. But so well has nature hidden these islands, the faVor- 
ite home of the fur seal, among the fogs of Bering Sea, that Pribylof cruised 
three weeks in their vicinity, with every evidence of being in the neighbor- 



1266 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

hood of land, and j'et unable to discover it. But at length the fog liftecl, and 
early in June land was sighted, which he called St. George. A party of hun- 
ters were left on the island for the winter and they in turn discovered the larger 
island of St. Paul. 

Over 500,000 skins were taken during the year, and the islands early began 
to be the '"bank" from which Baranof raised the funds to carry on his gov- 
ernment in Alaska. If he needed a ship's load of provisions and supplies for 
his colonies, all he had to do was to kill more seal and pay in seal akins. So 
great was the slaughter that the Government was compelled to interfere and 
in 1805 prohibited their killing for a period of five years. Prom 1820 to 1867, 
the year of the transfer, 42,000 skins were annually exported to England, the 
United States, and Canada. 

The first years after the ti'ansfer of Alaska to the United States again witnessed 
an indiscriminate slaughter by different firms, until Congress was compelled 
to interfere and authorize the Treasury Department to lease the islands under 
suitable restrictions to a respon.sible company. 

This was the origin of the Alaska Commercial Company of San Francisco, 
which has held the lease for the past twenty years, paying the Government an- 
nually a rental of $55,000, and a royalty of $J.<>2i on each of the 100,000 skins al- 
lowed to be taken. This produced a revenue of $317,500 per year. Last spring 
the islands were relet for another twenty years to the North American Com- 
mercial Company of San Francisco. By the terms of the new lease the Govern- 
ment will be the recipient of abaut $1,000,000 jier year. 

At 9:30 p. m. on June IS, the captain dropped anchor in Southwest Harbor, 
St. George Island. Beingunable to land through the breakers, the next daj'the 
ship sailed around the southern end of the island and anchored at noon in Garden 
Cove. The chart said that there was a trail to the village, 2 or 3 miles distant. 
At the village they called it 4 miles: the young officers that walked it came to 
the conclusion that it was nearer 14 miles. 

At 9:15 p. m. the anchor was weighed and we steamed northward for St. Paul 
Island. 

Going on deck about 6 o'clock on the morning of June 20, the ship was abreast 
of St. Paul Island, in full sight of the village. Behind us was Otter Island with 
its bluff shoie, and still further behind in the hazy distance the Island of St. 
George. To our right was Walrus Island, and toour left St. Paul, with its gentle 
slopes of green grass and moss, its bleak rocks and sand beaches covered in the 
season with the fur seal. To the right of the village were seen men driving a 
herd of seal to the killing grounds. Upan a h ill near the v^illage floated the stars 
and stripes, together with the flag of the North American Commercial Company, 
the lessees of the island. The stars and stripes also floated over the building 
occupied by Mr. Charles J. Goff , the United States Treasury agent. 

From the bay the village presents a more pleasing and inviting appearance 
than any other in Alaska. The large houses occupied by the North American 
Commercial Company for their own use, the house of the Treasury agent, the 
Greek church and the priest's residence, the schoolhouse and the neat white 
cottages of the people, with their orderly arrangement by streets, ranged as they 
are on the gentle slope of a hill, make an attractive picture. Before we rose 
from an early breakfast, Messrs. Goff, Tingle, Redpath, and Elliott were an- 
nounced. They had come to get their mail, which Capt. Healy had brought 
up for them. After breakfast I went ashore with Mr. Goff, who with his assist- 
ant, Mr. Nettleton, of Minneapolis, also Mr. H. W. Elliott, of Washington, and 
Mr. Tingle, the company's agent, did all in their power to make the day pleasant 
and profitable to me. 

Soon after landing Mr. Goff announced that a killing had commenced, and we 
walked over to the grounds to witness the process. A band of 200 or 300 seals 
were huddled together in the care of keepers. From this band 15 to 20 seals 
would be taken at a time, and driven a few yards from the main band. Four or 
five men with long clvibs then took charge of the small band, and selecting those 
of suitable size and age, killed them by one blow on the head. The men with 
clubs wei'e followed by others with knives, who stabbed the seals to let out the 
blood. They were followed by the skin men, who took off the skin with the 
layer of fat adhering to it. These in turn were followed by those who separated 
the fat from the skin. The skins were then carried to the salting house, where 
they were carefully counted and salted down. While this was going on, a score 
of women and girls were filling skin bags with masses of fat, which were carried 
on their backs to their homes, and then fried out into oil (butter) for winter use. 
The flesh was also carried home, cut into thin strips, and hung on poles to dry. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA, 1207 

Afterbein,i>- di'ied. it is stuffed into the stomachs of the sea lion, which have been 
cleaned and prepared foi- the purpose. After lilling it with the dried meat, seal 
oil is poured in, filling' up all the vacant spaces. You then have a huj^e sausage 
between two and thrt.e feet in diameter. This is stowed away for winter use. 

lu passing through the village we saw women at work cleaning the intestines 
of th'j sea lion, very much as eastern farm-wives prepare intestines for sausages. 
After being cleansed they are hung out to dry ; when dry they are slit length- 
wise and form a band 3 or 4 inches wide and from 75 to 100 feet long. From 
these strips are made the famous kamileka, or waterproof coats worn by these 
people. These coats are much lighter, stronger, and dryer, resisting rain 
longer and better than the rubber goods of commerce. Among the Eskimo of 
the Arctic the larger intestines of the walrus are used, making a correspond- 
ingly wider, band. 

The Greek church at this place is the best painted and neatest kept of any 
that I have seen in the Territory. The silver candlesticks and other ornaments 
when not in use were kept from the dust by bag coverings. The church is rich, 
being supported by a certain percentage of the wages of the whole population. 
In the adjoining graveyard a large Greek cross made from 2-inch plank stood at 
the head of each grave. With but two or three exceptions, these contained no 
name or date, nothing to indicate who was buried there. A gentleman who has 
attended many of their funei-als says he never saw any, even the nearest relative 
i of the deceased, shed a tear or give any outward sign of grief. They say it is 
good to die. After the burial all the friends ai-e invited to, the former residence 
of the deceased to tea. 

With Mr. Goff I also visited the company's sehoolhouse. It is well built, com- 
modious, and well furnished in its appointments. Owing to the opposition of 
the Greek Church, which does not wish the children to learn English, but little 
progress has apparently bean made. The school has been in operation for twenty 
years, and yet 1 could not find a child who could converse in the English lan- 
guage, although I was informed that some of them understood what I said to 
thsm. I greatly regret that it was vacation time and that I could not see the 
school in session. 

Mr. H. W. Elliott, who is here under appointment from the Secretary of the 
Treasury to report on the present condition of seal life, pointed out to me the 
location of the leading seal rookeries, and lamented the seeming fact that the 
seal were greatly decreasing in numbers. At dinner we were all the guests of 
Mr. Tingle; the principal fresh meat being roasted seal. I found it very pala- 
table. 

The population of the island consists of 5 whites and 217 natives. There are 
23 boys and 41 girls between the ages of 5 and 17. 

About 4:30, the tide favoring, we returned to the ship after a very enjoyable 
day on shore. At 5 p. m. the steamer got under way. We rounded the south- 
ern end of the island and fetched our course for Asia. 

SIBERIA. 

Siberia, the battle-ground of conquering Cossack and free-booting Promy- 
shlenki in their century's march across Asia, is, in its northern and northwest- 
ern section, a dreary waste of low-rolling and frozen tundra or rugged, snow- 
covered and storm-swept mountains, the land of the fierce howling poorga, of 
wild beasts and scattered tribes of brave, hardy, and half-civilized people. 

Its bl6ak, ice-skirted, snow-covered shore north of Kamchatka was our next 
landing place. OiT this coast on the 5th of May, 1885, the whaling bark Napoleon- 
was caught and crushed in the ice. The disaster came so suddenly that the crew 
had barely time to spring into the boats without provisions or extra clothing. 
There were four boats with nine in each. Four days after the wreck two of the 
boats were seen by the bark Fleetwing, and their crews rescued, five of them 
dying from the effects of the exposure. The remaining eighteen men after seven 
days' tossing about in the sea, took refuge upon a large field of ice, where they 
remained twenty-six days. During this time one-half of their number died from 
exhaustion and starvation. While on the ice all they had to eat were two small 
seals, which were caught. One of the men, Mr. .T. B. Vincent, being unable to 
eat the raw seal, had not a mouthful of nourishment for eleven days. 

On the 7th of June the nine survivors again took to the boat, and in three 
days effected a landing on the Siberian coast, to the southwest of Cape Navarin. 
The day after they landed, five of the remaining died, being so badly frozen that 
their limbs dropped off. Rogers, the mate, Lawrence, a boat steerer, and Wal- 



1268 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

lers, the cooper, were also badly frozen and helpless. These were cared for by 
the natives, who, though in a half-starving condition themselves, divided their 
living with them. The three men lived through the winter, subsisting on dried 
fish until March, when Lawrence died, followed the next day by Rogers, and 
shortly afterwards by Wallace, leaving Vincent the sole survivor of the party. 
Vincent, being in bettsr physical condition than the others, was adopted by a 
family having a herd of domesticated reindeer, and therefore had more to eat. 
With them he remained for over two yeai^s until found and rescued July 15, 
1887, by Capt. M. A. Healy, commanding the United States revenue marine 
steamer Bear. 

While among the deer men, Mr. Vincent carved on aboard with a knife the 
following mes^^ge, and asked his new made friends on the coast to give it to the 
first ship they saw. On one side was " 18S7 .J. B. V. Bk. Nap. Tobacco give." 
On the reverse side was " S. W. C. Nav., 10 M. Help Come." This piece of 
wood ultimately reached Capt. Healy and told the story, "1887, J. B. Vincent 
of the bark Napoleon, is 10 miles southwest of CapeNavarin. Come to his rescue. 
Give the bearer some tobacco for his trouble." 

Capt. Healy was at Port Clarence when he received the message. With his 
usual promptness, he strained over to the coast of Siberia, and after some diffi- 
culty in the fog, finally found and rescued the wrecked sailor. 

During the fullovving winter Congress made an appropriation for the purchase 
of presents with which to reward the natives for their care of Mr. Vincent and 
his comi-ades. Capt. Healy was delegated to distribute these presents, and for 
that purpose we were en route to Siberia. 

Monday, June 2H, opened very foggy, but ab:iut S o'clock the fog lifted, and 
Cape Navarin and the coast of Siberia were in full view. A more desolate and 
dreary scene it is hard to conceive of. A range of mountains with an elevation 
of about 2,000 feet lined the coast. Cape Navarin itself ended in a precipice 2,512 
feat in height, the base of which descended into the sea. Although it was so late 
in June, the whole country was still covered with snow, except bare spots here 
and there. Sleds drawn by dogs and reindeer wei-e si ill in common use. Eveji 
while approaching the coast, snow storms were seen sweeping through the ca- 
nons of the mountains. The temperature on deck at noon was 45°. A shai^p 
lo tkout was kept for the native village which was located upon the map, but 
which was not found upon the coast. At length two tents were seen on the beach, 
and abreast of them we anchored at 2 p. m. The Captain and Mrs. Healy, Lieut, 
Dimmock, and myself went ashore. The captain at once sent messengers in 
every direction on dog-sleds to gather the people together. The main distribu- 
tion of presents took place on the afternoon of the 21th, and consisted of 1,000 
yards of drilling, 500 yards of calico, 100 packages of glovers" needles, 8 dozen 
hand looking-glasses, 1,500 pounds of ship bread, 2 half-barrels of sugar, 2 barrels 
of molasses. 1 chest of tea, 6 dozen combs, 5 dozen packages of linen thi^ead, 4 
dozen tin pails and pans, 1 dozen iron pots. 2 kegs of nails with hammers, files, 
gimlets, saws, braces, and other carpenter tools, 1 dozen rifles and one-half dozen 
shotguns. 125 pounds of powder, 300 pounds lead, 2 bags of shot and 20,000 caps, 
l,00d'cartridges, axes, hatchets, and butcher knives, 2 dozen fox-traps, 4 dozen 
pipes, tobacco, snuff, 1 box goggles, one package fish-hooks and lines, beads, and 
1 box children's toys. Total value, $1,000. 

There are three tribes or families of natives on the Bering Sea coast of Siberia : 
the Kamtchatkans, occupying the peninsula of the same name, the Tchuctchees, 
occupying the general region west of Bering Straits and the Gulf of Anadir, and 
the Koriaks, occupying the country between the former two. Our visit was to 
the Koriaks, although I afterwards met the Tchuctchees at East Cape. The 
Koriaks can be divided into three classes : the civilized ones that have come more 
or less under the influence of the Russian settlements in the interior, the coast 
men, who mainly subsist on the whale, walrus, and seal, and the deer men, who 
live off their herds of domesticated reindeer. The latter two classes are more 
or less nomadic and pagan. They are said to oft'er sacrifices of dogs. 

We met the deer and coast Koriaks. They are a good sized, robust, athletic, 
and fleshy people, with prominent cheek bones, broad noses, black eyes, and a 
pleasant, good-natured expression. The men shave the crown of their heads, 
leaving a fringe of coarse, black hair round the forehead and sides, giving them 
the appearance of so many monks. They are said to do this that the flying of 
the hair in the wind may not frighten the wild reindeer when hunting. 

The women wear their* hair parted in the middle, the two braids hanging down 
the back. Some braid strings of beads around their necks or pendant from their 
ears. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1269 

The women ai'e very gonerally tattooLid down the center of the forehead and 
along- each side of the no^e to the nostril, and elaborate designs cover the cheek. 
I also saw tattooing on the hands, wrists, and arms. One girl had two waving 
lines from the forehead to the nostrils, and nine in a fan shape from the lower 
lip to the chin. Another, with the other marks, had an " X " on the chin at each 
corner of her mouth. Occasionally the men were tattooeil. I saw ahusband and 
wife marked exactly alike. They were dressed exclusively in skins and furs. 
Neither on their persons nor in the construction of their tents, furnishings, or 
bedding did I see as much as a thread of wool or cotton. Their clothing, tents, 
and bidding are made from i-eindeer skins. Their food is lai'gely dried rein- 
deer meat, supplemented with whaleand seal blubber. Their thread is reindeer 
sinew, and from the r.;indeer horns aremade many household implements. 

The dress of both men and women is made of a large skin shirt, so constriy; ted 
that the fur can be worn outside or next t j the skin, as may be desired, and a 
pair of skin pants with the fur inside. These extend to the knee. Those of the 
women are wide, so that when tied at the knee, they j^resent a baggy appear- 
ance similar to Turkish trousers. Then a pair of fur boots soled with seal or 
walrus hide. The tops of the boots are tied closely around the bottom of the 
pants. Suspended by a string around the neck is a fur hood, which can be 
pulled over the head when needed. The babe is carried inside the parka, or 
fur coat, on the back of the mother. A belt around the waist of the parka keejis 
the babe from slipping down too far. The di^ess of the babe consists of a single 
garment of reindeer skin, but this garment combines hood, coat, pants, shoes, 
and mittens all in one. When dressed, only a small portion of the face of the 
child is visible. 

The sieds are made of birch runners. Over these are- a half-dozen arches 
made of reindeer horns. These arches connect the runners and support the floor 
of the sled. At the I'ear end of the sled is a slight railing to support the 
back of the traveler. No iron is used in making the sled ; all the parts are firmly 
lashed together with whalebone strips or rawhide. The runners are shod 
with bjne. Before these are harnessed six dogs in pairs, or two reindeer. The 
reindeer are also driven side by side. The harness of the reindeer is very 
simple, being astrap around his neck connected with a trace between his legs. 

The tents we saw are conical, like those of the Dakota Indians, the poles 
being covered with reindeer skins or walrus hides. In some portions of the 
country, where straight i^oles can not be had, whalebones are used for frames, 
and the tents are oval in shape. Within the tents for the sake of greater warmth 
are small inner inclosures made by hanging reindeer-skin curtains. These 
small inclosures are the sleeping places. As they follow their herds from one 
pasturage to another these tents are easily taken down, loaded on the sled, re- 
moved to the next camp and set up again. 

They have two kinds of boats, consisting of a light frame of bircliwoood, over 
which is stretched seal or walrus skin. The large, open boat is called by the na- 
tives oomiak, by the Kamtcliatkans bidar. These will carry from 25 to 50 peo- 
ple. The smaller boat is intended for from 1 to 3 men, and is entirely encased 
ijjj skin, except the openings left for the men to sit in. These are called kj^aks, 
kaiak. or bidarka. 

In hunting whales, walrus, and seals they use spears with ivory points set in 
bone sockets. Small birds and animals aie trapped. Their gun is a miniature 
rifle with a barrel not over 2 feet long. To the stock are fastened by a hinge 
two light sticks, which are used as supports to the gun when firing. Powder 
and lead are so difficult to obtain and so expensive that the hunter runs no un- 
necessary risk in using it. It is said that sometimes they hunt to recover the 
bullet in order to use it again. I tried in vain to purchase one of these guns. 
They seem to have no chiefs, their organization being largely patriarchal. If 
one man accumulates more deer than his neighbors, he secures a certain 
amount of influence on account of his wealth. Poor men, who have no deer of 
their own, join his band, and assist in caring for his herd, in return for food and 
clothing. The only law that governs the commimity seems to be the natural 
law that is found in all barbarous tribes, that of retaliation. A few years ago a 
feud started bstween a band living on tlie coast, and a band of deer men living 
in the neighborhood, during which the latter band was exterminated. 

They impressed me as a very unsiillish i)eople. In the distribution of the 
presents none seemed to think that someone else was receiving more than he. 
The more frequent expression of anxiety seemed to be that no one should ba 
overlooked. They also called attention to some who were unavoidably absent, 
and offered to take them their share. Evidently some of them had never been 



1270 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

upon a ship before, and they were naturally curious to look all over it. Some- 
times when a family came off in their boat, at first only the men came aboard. 
After a while, as if gaining confidence, the women and children would venture. 
Frequently as soon as they were on deck they would sit down as if afraid to 
stand up. One woman reaching the deck in safety expressed her joy by throw- 
ing her arms around her husband's neck and they rubbed noses (their method 
of salutation in the place of kissing). 

I secured from them for the museum of the Society of Natural History and 
Ethnography at Sitka, a number of things to illustrate their manner of living. 

There being a herd of some 1,500 reindeer a few miles up the coast, in order 
that Ave might visit them and the ship procure some fresh meat, after the dis- 
tribution of the presents the captain got under way and sailed up to the reindeer 
herd, where he again anchored. Going ashore, we found the herd on the beach, 
some of them apparently drinking the salt water. The winter with its unusual 
amount of snow had been severe upon them, so fhat they were very poor. They 
were also shedding th:'ir hair and their horns were in the velvet, so they did 
not make a very impressive appearance. Off to one side two sleds were standing 
with two deer attached to each. Getting upon one of the sleds, by motions I 
made them understand that I wanted a ride, and a short one was given me. The 
X'eindeer were much smaller than I had expected to find them, the majority of 
thepi being not much larger than the wild deer of other sections. The captain 
purchased four deer, which were slaughtered and dressed for him. When get- 
ting ready to lasso the deer the owners family seated themselves in a circle on 
the ground, where probably some rites connected with their superstitions were 
observed. Upon attempting to approach the circle we were motioned away. 
After a little while the men went out and lassoed a selected animal, which was 
led out on one side of the herd. The man that was lea ling it stationed himself 
directly in front of the animal and held him firmly by the two horns. Another 
with a butcher knife stood at the side of the deer. An old man, probably the 
owner, went off to the eastward, and placing his back to the setting sun seemed 
engaged in prayer, upon the conclusion of whicli he turned around and faced 
the deer. This was the signal for knifing the animal. With apparently no ef- 
fort, the knife was pushed to the heart and withdrawn. The animal seemed to 
suffer no pain, and in a few seconds sank to his knees and rolled over on his side. 
While this was taking place the old man before mentioned stood erect, motion- 
less, with his hand over his eyes. When the deer was dead he approached, and 
taking a handful of hair and blood from the wound, impressively threw.it to the 
eastward. This was repeated a secemd time. Upon the killing of the second 
animal the wife of the owner cast the hair and blood to the eastward. I did not 
remain to the slaughter of the other two. While the animal was bleeding to 
death several women and girls gathered around and commenced sharpening 
their knives on stones preparatory to skinning the animal, which they proceeded 
to do as soon as the deer were dead. Engineer Meyers photographed the herd. 

At 4:15 on the morning of the 25th the ship was gotten under way and we 
started northward. After proceeding about 20 miles we ran into a large field of 
floating ice. The sun was shining brightly. Off upon the western horizon,, 
clear-cut against the sky, glistening and sparkling- in their covering of snow, 
were the Siberian mountains, while all around us, as far as the eye could reach, 
were great masses of heavy ice, rubbing and grinding against one another. We 
were six hours steaming through this ice. While in the ice the captain shot 
three, and secured two, hooded seal. Gi^eat numbers of waterfowl were in the 
open spaces among the ice. 

It was. here that the whaling bark Sapjjlio was crushed and sunk in 1882, and 
the barks Bainbov) and Na'poleon in 1885, and the bark Ladoga in 1889, This last 
vessel escaped destruction and was repaired. Just to the northward, between 
us and our destination, St. Lawrence Island, in 1885 the bark Gazelle was crushed 
and sunk. 

On Saturday afternoon, June 28, we sighted the snow-covered coast of St. Law- 
I'ence Island, and dropped anchor off the village Chib-u-chak on the northwest 
corner of the island. We are now in latitude 64 degrees north. The sun rises 
at 1:55 o'clock and sets at 10:05 p. m. Temperature at noon 40 degrees. This is 
the largest island in Bering Sea. It was discovered and named by Bering's ex- 
pedition in the summerof 1728. In 1775 the island was sighted by Captain Cook 
and named Clark Island. On the 10th of July, 1817, it was visited by Kotzebuej's 
expedition in the liuril-, and in 1830 by Etolin in command of the brig C/dcagof. 
Etolin found five native villages on the island. In 1878 the island was the scene 
of agreat tragedy. Starvation and pestilence carried away over 400 of the people. 



EDUCATION IN AJ.ASKA. 



1271 



When the i-evonue cutter visited the island in 1880 not a man, woman, or child 
was left to tell the tale. In four villages the corpses of the population alone 
were found. All the villages on the island with the single exception of Chib-u- 
chak had been swept out of existence. 

In 1884 Capt. Hcaly reports, "At the villages along *he north shore no sign of 
living beings could be found, but the still decaying bodies of the unfortunate 
Eskimos were lying in and about the falling houses." 

Before we dropped anchor four or live umuiaks, loaded with natives, were 
waiting to board us. As soon as the anchor went down they paddled up to the 




gangway, and from sixty to seventy men, women, and children came aboard, pre- 
pared to barter walrus tusks, ivory carvings, fur clothing, native boots and shoes, 
seal skin, etc. The women were more highly tattooed than any we have before 
met. As the captain wished to take the census of the village he had to go across 
to Indian Point (Cape Tehapalin), Siberia, for an interpreter. 

It was a. five-hours run. We reached Indian Point about 6 o'clock in the 
morning. The natives were soon off in force with the usual things for barter, 
and a few to secure the services of the ship's physician. The village consisted 
of some 2 dozen skin tents, also a few underground huts and one small frame 
house. Above the tide on the beach along the whole front of the village lay 



1272 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

the unbroken ice and snow. The village itself is on a low sandspit that pro- 
jects out into the sea. The mountains back and above the village were covered 
with snow, and even while we were anchoi-ed there, a driving snow storm was 
sweeping over them. Small cakes of floating ice were drifting around the vessel. 

Going ashore, I was gfeatly impressed with the number of the children. In 
all the journey I have not met so large a number. Being in Russia, our Alaskan 
school system can not reach them. They are an Eskimo colony, speaking the 
same language as the natives of St. Lawrence Island. Perhaps they could be 
induced to remove over there for the sake of schooling their children. 

At Indian Point we had eider ducks for dinner, and found them good eating. 
Securing an interpreter, Tommy Tough by name, the captain, on the morning of 
June 30, returned to St. Lawrence Island. On our way across, although an al- 
low^ance of 5 miles had been made for the current, the vessel was carried 10 
miles farther out of its course, making a drift of 15 miles in a distance of 40. A 
dense fog having set in, the ship passed north of the island without seeing it. 
The fog lifting at 10:30 a. m., we retraced our course and soon after dropped 
anchor abreast of the village, and I went ashore with Lieut. Dimock, Dr. Holmes, 
and the interpreter. 

The houses are from 20 to 40 feet in size. For a distance of 5 or 6 feet above 
the ground the walls are built of driftwood, whalebone, or timbei'S and planks 
from shipwrecked vessels. These are placed on end side by side, forming an 
inclosure in a circular or oblong form. The cracks between these planks are 
stuffed with moss. From the top of these walls rafters made of poles are ex- 
tended across, meeting in the center. These are supported in the center by a 
i"idge pole resting upon posts. These rafters are covered with walrus and seal 
skins, forming the roof. Some roofs are in the shape of a cone and others of a 
dome. Inside they are partitioned off around the sides with deer skin curtains. 
The spaces curtained otf form the sleeping places. All around, inside and out- 
side, are filth, dirt, sleds, spears, snowshoes, and household utensils. The 
houses and tents are located with no reference to order or street lines. The 
sleds are shod with bone. On a few small ones, the whole runner was made of a 
walrus tusk. 

If the building is a very large one there is a row of supporting poles on each 
side, midway between the center and sides. Over the rafter poles are stretched 
walrus hides. These are held in position by rawhide ropes, attached to which 
and hanging down the sides of the building are the vertebrce of whales, large 
stones, and old iron from shipwrecked vessels. This anchorage both stretches 
the skins and prevents them from being blown off. These skins being- trans- 
lucent let in a great deal of light. There are no windows in the house, and but a 
small opening, from 2 to 21 feet above the ground, for a "door. Fire, when they 
have any, is made on the dirt floor in the center of the room. Each building 
is occupied by several fanaiiies. Near the house is a scaffold made of posts of the 
jaw bones of the whale. These ara 7 to 10 feet high and 10 feet wide. A series 
of these make the scaffolds from 20 to 30 feet long. On these are placed the skin 
boats, harness of the dogs, meat, etc., so as to be out of the reach of dogs. Upon 
one of these, attached to the whale bone cross beam, was a child's swing made 
of walrus thong rope. 

I saw several excavations where underground houses had once been, and one 
such hous :■ still standing with the roof partially fallen in. The sides were com- 
posed of walrus skulls laid up like a New England stone wall. In this house 
were some corpses, together with the spear and arrowheads and personal be- 
longings of the dead. 

Large patches of snow and ice still remain in the village, some of them being 
from o to 4 feet deep. As we passed from house to house we were followed by a 
crowd of dirty, but bright-looking children. From the eldest to the child which 
was just able to talk, they asked for tobacco, which is used by both sexes and all 
ages down to the nursing child. Five little girls, from 4 to 10 years of age, gave 
me a native dance. They commenced with a swinging motion of the body from 
side to side, throwing their weight alternately upon each foot. This was accom- 
panied by an explosive grunt, or squeak, as if "the air was being violently expelled 
from the lungs. As they warmed up, they whirled around, writhed and twisted 
their bodies and distorted their faces into all manner of shapes and expressions, 
until they would fall down with dizziness. 

The census revealed a total population of 270, of whom 70 were boys and 55 
girls, living in 21 houses. This is a good village for a school. One established 
here ought to draw to it some families from Indian Point, Siberia. They are 
the same people, and the two villages are about 40 miles apart. During the 
summer of 1891 the Reformed Episcopal Missionary Society will establish a mis- 
sion school at this village. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1273 

KING ISLAND. 

Returning the interpreter to Indian Point, the captain steamed away for 
King Island, wliich we reached ahout5 p.m. on July 1. This is one; of tlie most 
remarkable settlements in America. The island is a great mass of basalt rock, 
about a mile in length, rising from tlie sea with perpendicular sides from 700 to 
LOCO feet above the water. On the south side the wall is broken down by a ra- 
vine rising at an angel of 45 degrees, and is hlled with loos;' rock. A great, per- 
manent snow bank tilled the bottom of the ravine from the water to the tO]) of 
the mountain. On the west side of the snow is the villa^^e of Ouk-i-vak, which 
consists of some 40 dwellings or underground houses, partly excavated in the 
side of the hill, and built up with stonewalls. Across the top of these wallsare 
large poles made from the driftwood that is caught tloaling around the island. 
Upon these are placed hides and grass, which are in turn covered with dirt. A 
low tunnel or dirt-covered hallway, 10 to 15 feet long, leads directly under the 
center of the dwelling. This is so low that we had to stoop and often creep in 
entering. At the end of the hall dii'ectly overhead is a hole about 18 inches in 
diameter. This is the entrance to the dwelling above. 

Frequently in summer, these caves bec( me too damp to live in. The people 
then erect a" summer house upon toj? of the winter one. The summer house 
consists of walrus hides, stretched over a wooden frame, making a room from 
10 to 15 feet square. These summer houses are guyed to rocks with rawhide 
ropes, to prevent them from being blown ott' into the sea. The entrance is an 
oval hole in the walrus hide, about 2feetab:ive the lloor. Outside of the door is 
a narrow platform about 2 feet wic^e. leading back to the side of the hill. Some 
of these platforms are f i om 15 to 20 feet above the roofs of the huts below them. 
Across the i-avine from the village, at the base of the perpendicular sides of the 
island is a cave, into the mouth of which the surf dashes and roars. At the back 
of the cave is a large bank of perpetual snow. On the side of the mountain above 
there is a perpendicular shaft from 80 to 100 feet deep, leading down into the 
cave. This cave is the storehouse for the whole village. Walrus and seal meat 
is dropped down the shaft, and then stoi ed away in rooms excavated in the snow. 
As the temperature in the cave never rises above freezing point, meat so stored 
soon freezes solid and keeps indefinitely. The women gain entrance to their 
storehouse by letting themselves down the shaft, hand over hand, along a z'aw- 
hide rope. 

Capt. Healy had a census taken with the following result : Total population 
200. of whom .■!.■> were males and 45 females under 21 years of age. Here, as at 
the oth'?r native villages, I secured a number of articles of interest for the mu- 
seum of natural history and ethnology at Sitka. 

THE WHALING FLEET. 

At 3:15 a. m. on the 2d of July the ship anchored at Port Clarence, in the 
midst of the Arctic whaling fleet. Eight steamers and eighteen sailing vessels, 
all flying the American flag, were an inspiring sight in this far off, uninhabited 
bay : almost within the Arctic Circle ; and the more so, as a few months ago, in 
Washington, I heard a gentleman who had just returned from a trip around the 
world, say in a public address that in all his trip, he had seen but one vessel fly- 
ing the Stars and Stripes. Many of the whalers leave San Francisco in January, 
and it is their custom to gather at this point about the 1st of July before enter- 
ing the Arctic Ocean, to meet a steamer sent from San Francisco with a fresh 
supply of provisions, coal, etc. 

Soon after anchoring, the captains of the whalers began arriving in order to 
get their mail, for the captain of the revenue steamer, among other good offices 
for humanity, brings up the yearly mail for the 2,000 whalers, traders, teachers, 
and missionaries, and whoever else may be living in the Arctic regions of the 
United States. For those who have had no tidings from their loved ones at home 
or returns from an important business transaction, the coming of the revenue 
steamer is an important event. Great bundles of letters and papers were piled 
upon the captain's table, and again and again they were carefully scanned, each 
captain picking out those that belonged to himself or his crew. Some of them 
did this so nervously, that though they personally looked over the packet three 
or four different times, they still missed some, which would be detected and 
handed out l)y some one following. 

A few visiting Eskimos were camped upon the beach, some of them being- 
dressed in bird instead of deer skins. 



1274 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

The day before we arrived the mate of one of the vessels had died, and an offi- 
cer on another vessel was very sick, dying' a few weeks afterwards. In a fleet 
with hundreds of sailors are some accidental cuts, bruises, etc., so that there were 
many calls for the professional services of the Government physician. This is 
another feature of the beneficent work of the revenue steamer. In Arctic 
Alaska in summer are 2,000 sailors on the whalers, a hundred traders and thou- 
sands of natives, covering an area of tens of thousands of square miles, and no 
physician except the one carried around on the annual cruise of this vessel. 
The value of such services can not be estimated. 

During our stay at Port Clarence Capt. Healy, in the discharge of his ofJicial 
duty, as usual, sent officers on board ol every vessel to search for liquors. The 
large majority of the captains of the whaling vessels are opposed to the trading 
of liquors to the natives forfurs; but there are some whobslieve in it, and boldly 
say that if the cutter did not come and search them they would engage in it, 
and that they do engage in it on the Siberian coast, where the cutter has no 
jurisdiction. The result of the search was that 11 barrels of alcohol and 6 cases 
of gin were seized upon one schooner and emptied into the ocean. One captain, 
seeing the officer coming, emptied a barrel of liquor over the side of his vessel 
and threw three gallon cans after it. The cans, instead of sinking, floated by the 
searching officer. He, doubtless thinking them empty kerosene cans, did not take 
the trouble to pick them up. During the past ten years hundreds of ban-els of 
vile liquors have been emptied into the sea as the result of the vigilance of Capt. 
Healy and the officers of the revenue cutter. The amount of crime, suffering, 
and destitution thus prevented can not be overestima'ed. The country and all 
who are interested in saving the natives of this coast from the demoralization 
of rum owe a large debt of gratitude to Capt. Healy, who has practically broken 
up the traffic on this northwest coast. 

One of the captains reported a case of assault and battery with intent to kill. On 
the 30th of June his steward had dangerously wounded one of the sailors, cutting 
with a razor a gash Si inch^es long and to the ribs in depth. The steward had been 
in irons ever since. It was a small schooner and there was no suitable place for 
keeping the prisoner, who had threatened to kill the mate and fire the ship when he 
i-egained his liberty. Under the circumstances the captain was very anxious to get 
rid of him, and wrote Capt. Healy, as the nearest Government official, an urgent 
letter asking him to take the man off his hands. This is another phase of the many- 
sided work of a Government cutter in this vast land without law or courts. The 
steward being equally anxious to claim the protection of the Government, he 
was brought alongside in irons. The irons were taken off and he was assigned 
work. The commanding officers of all the revenue vessels visiting these out- 
lying portions of the country should be clothed with the powers of a justice of 
the peace, so that offenses could be investigated, testimony taken, and offenders 
arrested and bound over for trial at the United States district court at Sitka. 
As it is, the captain could not legally have taken this man against his will, and 
when the vessel arrives at San Francisco the man can go ashore a free man, 
escaping not only all punishment, but even an official investigation. 

In the harbor awaiting our arrival was the schooner Oscar and Hattie, Capt. 
J. J. Haviside master, laden with building material and supplies for the school- 
houses at Cape Prince of Wales, Point Hope, and Point Barrow. The schooner 
got under way that same aftei'noon for Cape Prince of Wales, about 30 miles 
distant. Upon the following day the schooner Jennie arrived with supplies for 
the whalers. She had on board the four teachers, Messrs. H. R. Thornton and 
W. T. Lopp for Cape Prince of Wales, Dr. John B. Drigg for Point Hope, and 
Mr. L. M. Stevenson for Point Barrow. At midnight we witnessed one of those 
gorgeous sunsets for which the Pacific coast is so famous. 

On the morning of the 4th of July all the vessels "dressed ship" in honor of 
the day. At 8 o'clock a, m. we got under way, reaching Cape Prince of Wales 
at 1:25 p. m. The captain very kindly sent Prof. Thornton and myself ashore at 
once, and we celet)rated the 4th of July, 1890, by locating at this extreme west- 
ern end of the western hemisphere the site and laying the foundations of the 
first schoolhouse and mission on the Arctic co st of Alaska. From this school is 
visible to the north, the Arctic Ocean; to the south, Bering Sea, and to the west, 
Bering Straits, the coast of Siberia, and Diomede Islands. The cape is a bold 
promontory crowned with groups of needle rocks. As we had a teacher on 
bjard, we could trace the resemblance of one group to a teacher and jJi^ipil*^- 
Back of the coast the mountain peakfl rise to the height of 2,596 feet. At the 
base of the promontory is a low .tand spit, upon which is built the native village 
of King-e-gan. This school is one of the contract schools of the U. S. Bureau 
of Education and is in charge of the American Missionary Association of the 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



1275 




15953 



1276 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

Congreg'ational Churcli. The money needed for its establishment was contrib- 
uted by the Congregational Ghurch of Southport, Conn., Rev. William H. Hoi- 
nian, pastor. 

At Port Clarence volunteers vi'ere called for and through the courtesy of the 
several captains the following carpenters offered their services without pay in 
the erection of the schoolhouses at Cape Prince of Wales and Point Hope : Charles 
Johnson, of the steam bark TItrasher: James Hepburn, of the Baleoiai Edward E. 
Norton, of the Orca, and A. S. Curry, of the Grampus. Capt. Healy sent off 2 
carpenters and 10 or 12 men from the Bear. 

While the house was building Capt, Healy took the ship over to(Krusenstern) 
Little Dioniede Island to take the census of Imach-leet. Upon our arrival it 
was storming so badly that he was compelled to continue on over to the Asiatic 
side for a safe anchorage. On the third day, the storm having abated, we 
started for Imach-leet. calling at East Cape on our way. We also passed close 
to Inug-leet, on Ratmanoff Island, but did not go on shore. 

Bering Straits, which separat-' the American and Asiatic continents, are 40 
miles broad. These straits w^ere llrst passed by Capt, Bering in August. 1728, 
who demonstrated the fact that Asia was separated from America, It remained 
for Capt, Cook, in August, 1778, to complete Bering's discoveries and give to 
the world the exact i-elations of the continents to each other. Nearly in the 
center are Big and Little Diomede (Ratmanoff and Krusenstern) islands. The 
former belongs to Russia, and the latter to the United States. As these islands 
are only 2 miles apart, Russia and the United States are here close together. 

Imach-leet, like Inug-leet and Ouk-i-vak, is built upon the steep side of a 
mountain, and is the filthiest place yet visited. Being so close to the Asiatic 
settlements, it is the gateway of much of the liquor smuggled into this section 
of Alaska. A school with an efficient teacher at this place would prevent much 
of this illicit traffic and accomplish a great work. 

As we returned to King-e-gan we sailed close to Fairway Rock, the Indian 
name of which is Oo-ghe-e-ak, and is said to signify, " Thanks to God," because 
there is room to shelter two native boats which may be overtaken in this part 
of the sea by a storm. Fairway Rock is a quarter of a mile in circumference 
and from 300 to 400 feet high, 'it is one of the natural danger-signal stations of 
Bering Sea and the Arctic, being occupied by myriads of birds, which, by their 
continual cries in thick and foggy weather, warn the navigator of his proximity 
to the rock. 

At King-e-gan the captain picked vip his carpenters and sailors, who had fin- 
ished the school building, and on the afternoon of July 12 we started northward 
through Bering Straits into the Arctic Ocean. Twenty-four hours later we 
crossed the Arctic Circle and were in "the land of the midnight sun." 

July 13 Capt, Healy anchored off Schishmareff Inlet to take the census. At 
the time of Capt. Beechey's expedition in 1826 there was a large native village 
here. _ Now it is reduced to a very small number. 

In visiting the camp upon shore I came across the oldest-looking native that 
I have seen this season. A number of the natives visited the ship. Wild ducks 
were so plentiful that the captain bought a couple of dozen for the table at the rate 
of a cent apiece. The next morning we anchored oft' Cape Blossom, in Kotzebue 
Sound. This sound was discovered on the 1st of August, 1816, by Capt. Kotzebue. 
in command of the liurik. fitted out by Count Romanoff, of Russia, to discover 
the noinbwest passage. In September, 1826. it was visited by Capt, Beechey in 
the British ship BJotimin, who was cooperating with Sir John Franklin, Frank- 
lin working from the eastern side toward the west, and Beechey from the western 
side eastward. The two expeditions failed to make connection. While in the 
sound Capt. Beechey buried a cask of flour. In July, 1850, the ships Herald, 
Capt. Hellett, Plover, Capt, Moore, and the Investiqator, sent by the British Ad- 
miralty in search of Sir John Franklin, and the schooner yacht Nancy Dawson, 
under her owner, Robert Shedder, visited the sound. The flour buried nearly 
a quarter of a century before was found in good condition, and a dinner party 
given, at which were cakes and pies made from it. In Eschscholtz Sound, the 
southwest arm of Kotzebue Sound, are clitfs from 20 to 80 feet in height, which 
rise into hills between 400 and -500 feet above the sea. 

At the time of Kotzebue's visit this cliff was supposed to be an immense ice- 
berg, covered with a foot of soil and grass, but was found by Capt. Beechey to 
be frozen earth. The interesting feature of the cliff is that it contains a large 
deposit of fossil ivory, mammoth tusks, teeth, and bones. I secured portions of 
two mammoth tusks and two teeth. 

One afternoon Lieut. Buhner and myself started to visit some of the native 
villages. After going about 15 miles we got on the shoals and were compelled 



EDUCA'l'ION IN ALASKA. 1277 

to return to the ship. While absent we landed and visited some native graves. 
There is a row of them exteudinof for miles alon^" the beach. As there is a 
frozen subsoil, rendering- it very difticult to dig graves, the dead are wra])ped' 
up in seal skins, which are securely tied and then deposited above the ground 
in the forks of poles or elevated platforms so high above the earth that the wild 
animals can not reach them. 

Tlie whole landscape out from under the snow was covered with beautiful 
wild flowers, and we were covered with mosquitoes that swarmed around us in 
clouds. We saw very few natives on the beach, they being largely at Sheshalik, 
on the north side of Hotham Inlet. When the ice leaves Kotzebue Sound in the 
summer the beluga, or white whale, comes in, and the natives come down the 
rivers by hundreds from the interior to hunt him and later on to barter with the 
coaiit tribes.. About the middle of July the run of the whales is over, and that 
of the salmon commences on the Cape Blossom side of the inlet. The popula- 
tion then change their tents from the north to the south side of the inlet. In 
the mean time the Alaskan and Siberian coast natives are arriving day by 
day. until in August from 1,500 to 2,500 people are gathered on the spijb north 
of Cape Blossom, fishing and trading. This is the great international annual 
fair and market of Arctic Alaska. 

The natives of the interior here barter their beautiful furs with the natives of 
the coast for seal oil, walrus hides, and seal skins, and with the natives of Si- 
beria for reindeer skins, whisky, and breech-loading firearms, cartridges, etc. 
Formerly these gatherings were visited by schooners, fitted out at San Fran- 
cisco and Sandwich Islands, with cargoes of liquor in bottles labeled " Florida 
Water," "Bay Rum," "Pain Killer," "Jamaica Ginger," etc. This traffic has 
largely been broken up by the visits of the revenue cutters. 

A schooner was at anchor off Cape Blossom when we arrived. Seeing the cut- 
ter it weighed anchor and sailed away, but not before an officer had been sent on 
board to search her. Although no unusual supply of liquor was found on board, 
yet that afternoon a native and his wife were found drunk from liquor received 
from this vessel. They were brought aboard the cutter, testified where they se- 
cured the liquor, received a reprimand, and upon the promise of not drinking 
again, were let go. 

On the north side of the sound is the entrance to Hotham Inlet into which 
empty two large rivers, the Kowak and the Noatak. Although the existence of 
these rivers was known in a vague way by reports from native sources, they were 
first explored and mapped in 1883, 1884, and 1885 by expeditions fitted out by 
Capt. Healy, commanding the Corwin. As the larger number of natives whom I 
wished to see had not yet arrived the captain concluded to go on and fulfill his 
duties farther north and return here before the people should separate, conse- 
quently, on the morning of the 16th, with a fair wind, he sailed northward. We 
were soon abreast of Cape Krusentern, where, in July, 1886, the John Carver was 
crushed in the ice. On the morning of the 17th we dropped anchor off Cape 
Thompson to water ship. The ship's boats were taken ashore and filled with 
fresh water from a creek. The boats were then rowed back to the ship and the 
water pumped from them into the ship's tanks. By noon the tanks were full and 
we had on laoard a month's supply of water. In the afternoon the sailors were 
allowed to go ashore and wash their clothes. Soon after anchoring the natives 
began to come on board and the deck was covered with them all day. 

Cape Thompson is a bold, rocky bluff 1,200 feet high. It is a remarkable cliff 
geologically, showing a great fold of the earth's crust. The face of the cliff is 
also a great bird rookery, birds by the thousand and tens of thousands nesting in 
the cracks and upon the projections of the rocks. Wishing some eg^ shells a 
party of natives were hired for a few crackers to get some eggs. Taking a rope 
with them, they scaled the cliffs, and letting one of their number down the face 
of the precipice with the rope he soon gathered two bushels and a half of eggs. 

Leaving Cape Thompson at 5 o'clock p. m. we reached Point Hope about lip. 
m., and dropped anchor in the midst of twelve vessels, largely belonging to the 
New Bedford whaling fleet. The captain immediately dispatched a boat for 
mail to the bark Thomas Popo, that had come up from San Francisco with sup- 
plies to the whalers from New Bedford. In due time the boat returned with a 
batch of papers as late as June 10, but no letters. It then being nearly midnight 
I concluded to remain up and see the midnight sun, which dipped about half way 
into the water and then commenced to rise again. At the setting it was ])artially 
obscured by a cloud, but the risina" was cloudless and beautiful. 

Point Hope is a narrow stretch of land extending out into the Arctic Ocean, 
some 1 () miles from the genei-al line of the coast. This gives it its native name 
Tig-e-rach (Finger.) It has evidently been formed by two great fields of ice 



1278 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

grounding on the bottom and pushing the sand in a ridge before them, until the 
ridge rises above the ocean. Between these parallel ridges is a lake extending 
nearly the entire length of the peninsula. Formerly the cape extended still 
farther into the ocean, but one year the ice pack came along with such force as 
to cut the end off, sweeping away with it a number of underground houses. 

For three days we lay at anchor riding out a southern gale. Ten days later (July 
28), at the same place, in a similar storm, the Thomas Pope, having not yet fin- 
ished discharging her freight was driven into the breakers and wrecked, and 
her crew was received on board the revenue cutter by Capt. Healy. On Mon- 
day, July 21, the storm having abated, the ship was moved nearer the village 
and I went ashore to inspect the school building, which was in process of erec- 
tion by Capt. Haviside and the volunteei'ing carpenters who had preceded us 
from Cape Prince of Wales, where Capt. Healy had remained to finish up 
the work on that scliool building. Capt. Healy sent his carpenter and a num- 
ber of sailors on shore to assist in the work. By night the building was finished 
and ready for occupancy. This is the second of our new schools in the Arctic. It 
is a contract school under the supervision of the Mission Society of the Prot- 
estant Episcopal Church. The teacher is John B. Driggs, M. D. The advisa- 
bility of the establishment of a school at this point was represented to me last 
fall by Lieut. Commander Charles H. Stockton, U. S. Navy, who had just re- 
turned from a cruise on this coast. Bringing the matter to the attention of 
Hon. W. T. Harris, LL. D., United States Commissioner of Education, and 
through him to the honorable Secretary of the Interior, I had the privilege of 
securing the establishment of schools for the Arctic Eskimo at that place. 

While at Point Hope I visited the native village, but few of the people being 
home. I also visited the cemetery; the dead, tied up in deer and walrus skin 
blankets, are laid on platforms above the reach of dogs and wild beasts. The 
present population is about 300. But in the year 1800, when this was the lead- 
ing tribe on the Arctic coast, the village is supposed to have had a population 
of about 2,000. In that year their power was broken by a great land and sea fight 
near Cape Seppings, between them and the Nooatoks of the interior. In this 
disastrous battle their leading hunters being killed, a famine set in which car- 
ried away half of the remaining inhabitants. During the day a number of na- 
tives came on board. Among them were three from Cape Prince of Wales. 
Last winter while out on the ice after seals, the ice broke loose from the shore 
and tioated out to sea, carrying them with it. They were on the ice drifting 
helplessly about in the Arctic Ocean for a month or six weeks, when the floe 
finally went ashore at Cape Thompson. 150 miles north of where they started 
from. The party of five were reduced to the greatest straits for food, even eat- 
ing up their boots. One died on the ice, and a second soon after landing, leav- 
ing three to be returned on the cutter to their friends and homes. Last winter 
two men on the ice hunting were drifted away from this place and have never 
been heard from. 

Pour ships have been wrecked here in late years. The Louisa and the bark 
John Hoidand in 1883; the Thomas Pope in 1890, and the Little Ohio in 1888. In 
connection with the latter wreck, the officers and 30 men were drowned. Among 
those that were saved was a sailor, who took a position at the whaling station. 
Last winter while en route from Cape Lisburne coal mines to Point Hope, he 
froze his feet so badly that mortification set in. Upon the arrival of the Bear 
he was received on board for medical attendance, and his toes were amputated 
by the surgeon. 

In 1887 a San Francisco firm established a whaling station several miles from 
the village, the influence of which has been demoralizing. The natives ai^e now 
recruiting their numbers by purchasing children from the interior tribes, which 
children, as they gTOw up, become a part of the tribe. The market price for a 
child is a seal skin bag of oil, or a suit of old clothes. 

Having attended to everything that was necessary at Point Hope, and paid 
oft' the natives who assisted in the erection of the schoolhouse, our mail was 
sent over to the Thomas Pope, which was soon to sail for San Francisco, and at 
10 o'clock a. m. on the 22d of July we sailed north with a fair wind, passing 
Cape Lisburne at 1:.35 p. m. From Cape Lisburne the coast turns to the east- 
ward at almost a right angle, the general trend being to the northeast until 
Point Barrow, the most northern limit of the continent, is reached. Cape Lis- 
burne, 8J:9 feet high, is a bold bluff of flint and limestone, abounding with fossil 
shells and marine animals. It is also in its season a noted rookery for birds. 
The imi,aediate vicinity is said to be the flower garden of the Arctic (Koog- 
Moote) on account of the number and variety of the wild flowers. From Cape 
Lisburne there is a uniform descent and breaking down of the hills for 50 miles 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



127JI 



to Cape Beairfort. At Cape lieauloct is the last point where the hills reacli tin' 
coast. Soon after leaving the cape, the ice has pushed up tlie sand, foi-ming- a 
shingle or outer coast, running parallel with the real coast. This outer coast is 
a strip of sand with a varying width of 900 to 1,000 feet, about (5 feet above the 
level of the sea, and extending 120 miles north. The body of water inclosed be- 
tween the two coasts is from 2 to miles wide. Prom Cape Lisburne to Cape Beau- 
fort are extensive coal mines, at which some of the steam whalers re])lenish their 
exhausted supplies. This season over 500 tons have been mined by the whalers. 
At Cape Beaufort the geological formation is sandstone, inclosing petrified 
wood and rushes, with veins of coal. Di'ift coal was found on the beach almost 




MAP OF 

S.E.ALASKA 

ft-epared for U.S.Bureau of Education 
Bj tJ.S. Coast & Geodetic Survrf' 



Statute Miles 






up to Point Barrow. During the night the wind gradually grew stronger until 
towards morning, when we encountered a heavy southwest gale, causing the 
ship to roll until it was almost impossible to keep in bed. 

At 11 o'clock a. m., on the 24th of July, we were in the midst of floating ice. 
and at noon anchored olT Cape Collie. Soon the musquitoes began to swarm on 
board, and the captain moved his anchorage farther out to sea. 

We were again in the midst of the whaling fleet, and at the edge of the ice 
pack which prevented farther progress to the north. The Arctic '' pack '" is the 
name given to that large body of perpetual solid ice in the Ai'ctie Ocean extend- 
ing from the coast of Alaska across to Siberia. Its southern limit is constantly 



1280 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

changing with the severity of the season, and the course of winds and cun-ents. 
Its southern edge is also irregular, sometimes containing openings or canals ex- 
tending into the pack for miles, these are called "leads."' A wider and shorter 
opening is called a " pocket." 

In August, 1778, Capt. Cook found the soutliern edge of the pack resting 
on Icy Cape, 40 miles south of our present anchorage. It was a comjiaet wall 
of ice, 10 feet above the v/ater and from70to90 feet under the surface, extending 
west of north and east by south, from continent to continent. In 1826 Capt. 
Beechey did not meet it- until near Cape Smyth, 120 miles farther north. 
August 20, 1879. the fleet reached the pack at Blossom Shoals, off Icy Cape. 
August 10, 1885, the pack was at our present anchorage. Cape Collie is at the 
north side of the entrance to Wainwright Inlet, an extensive lagoon into which 
empties a considerable river from the interior. After lunch I accompanied Lieut. 
Dimock and the interpreter ashore, on a visit to the native village of Koog-moote. 
On account of the shore ice making out some distance from the beach, we had great 
difficulty in landing and still greater danger in embarking again. Along the outer 
edge was a mass of detached pieces of ice that under the influence of the waves 
were bobbing up and down and constantly shifting their position. The greatest 
care had to be taken lest our small boat should be caught and crushed. And when 
we got upon the ice and attempted to make our way from one cake to another the 
peril was still greater. Although our heads and faces were covered with mus- 
quito netting, the little insects managed to get inside and make our stay ashore 
a torment. Arctic ptarmigan were abundant. The first party of natives we 
met were eating reindeer meat. Taking a large chunk in the left hand and 
fastening upon it with the teeth, a knife held in the right hand was passed up- 
ward close to the mouth, severing a piece as large as could be conveniently 
chewed. I think a beginner at this method of carving meat would slice off the 
end of his nose. 

I counted twelve underground huts in the village, none of which "were occu- 
pied. The larger portion of the people were inland hunting reindeer. The 
few remaining at the village were living in tents, their winter houses being 
partly filled with water. While on shore I walked out on the ice to the hull of 
the Qeorge & Susan. This bark was wrecked on the 10th of August, 1885, to- 
gether with the Mabel. Three of the crew were drowned in getting ashore, and 
some of those that escaped were in an exceedingly critical condition for several 
hours after they were rescued by Capt. Healy and taken aboard of the revenue 
cutter Corwin, which was anchored in the neighborhood. 

Early on July 25 we started in search of the "ice pack," which we found 5 
miles away. After skirting the pack a short distance, the captain returned in 
shore and anchored off Point Belcher. At this point is another small village 
(She-rah-rack) of twelve winter hunts, which I visited. But three or four fam- 
ilies remained in the place, the others being off hunting the reindeer. 

On July 26 it snowed nearly all day. At 11 p. m. the captain again started 
out to examine the condition of the ice. After skirting the edge of the pack 
for some distance we returned and anchored of Cape Franklin. In the after- 
noon the captain changed his anchorage a few miles north, off Sea Horse Is- 
lands. While lying here at anchor Capt. Healy secured for me two nests and 
eggs of the eider duck. 

We are now in the midst of the Arctic graveyard of ships. In the last 20 
years from 75 to 80 vessels connected with the whale trade have been wrecked 
on the American side of the Arctic coast, and fi'om 15 to 20 on the Asiatic 
side. In 1871 33 ships were caught in the ice near here and abandoned, and 
1,200 sailors were cast helplessly on this sterile coast, with an insufficient 
snpply of provisions, and for 100 miles ^he ice pack was solid between them and 
escajDe. There was then no refuge station at Point Barrow, but fortunately 
they were able to get south along the coast until they met some ships that took 
them off. Again, in 187G, 13 whaling vessels were caught in the ice off' these 
same Sea Horse Islands and drifted helplesslj' to the north of Point Barrow, 
where they were abandoned. To the northward the Daniel Webster was crushed 
in the ice in 1881, the steamer North Star in 1882, and schooner Clara Light in 
1885. A little to the south of this point the bark .lohn Howland was stove in by 
the ice off Point Lay in 1883, steamer Boa^ Head off Point Belcher in 1884, the 
Mabel and George and Susan off Point Collie. A little wegt of this point the 
barks Mt. Wolldston and Vigilant were caught in the ice in 1879, and no tidings 
have ever come from vessels or crews. On the 8th of August, 1888, the barks 
Fleetuing, Young Phoenix, Mary and Susan, and schooner Jane Gray were lost in 
the ice off Point Barrow, 160 of their crew being rescued by Capt. Healy. who 
was in the vicinity. It is when a ship reaches the ice that extreme watchful- 




Refuge Station, Point Barrow, Alaska. (See page 1281.) 
(Courtesy of Scribner's Magazine.; 




.i^mm-'rs^yjKmittim^- 



TVmiWfi 



f« mia aBRfeewwHfe 



U. S. Revenue Cutter " Bear" Connmunicating with Siberian Deermen. (See page 1293.) 
(Photo, by Dr. S. J. Cal;. From The Californian.) 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1281 

ness and care is demandecl ; the smallest change of wind, currents, or ice being- 
noted and weighed, which means to the commanding officer days and nights of 
sleepless anxiety. It was in one of these seasons of anxiety that Capt. Healy 
spent 75 cou8ecutive hours in the orow's nest at the masthead, his food being 
taken up to him. 

On the 30tli of July Ave were getting tired of our enforced delay. We had 
been a week off Point Belcher and Sea Horse Islands, waiting for the ice pack 
to swing off the shore and let us forward. That night, as wc were upon deck 
watching the midnight sun, a large field of shore ice was seen drifting toward 
us. For a little the good ship held fast as the great cakes broke on her bow 
and ground against her sides ; Ijut by and by the pressure became too great and 
she dragged her anchor, and commenced drifting toward the shoals. Steam 
was at once raised, the anchor weighed, and the ship set at work bucking her 
way through the ice. Once under way the captain concluded to go on until 
again stopped by the ice. Threading his way carefully through masses of float- 
ing ice, he reached and anchored on the morning of July 31 off the village of 
Ootkeavie, near Point Barrow. Upon communicating with the shore it was 
found that the ice had left two days previous, and that the first vessels had ar- 
rived a few hours before. Masses of ice were still floating by in the current and 
grounded icebergs lay between the ship and the beach. Ootkeavie, next to Cape 
Prince of Wales, is the largest village on the Arctic coast, numbering about 300 
people. In 1881, 1882, and 1883 it was occupied as one of the stations of the In- 
ternational Polar Expedition. The house built by Lieut. P. H. Ray for the use 
of the expedition has been leased to the Pacific Steam Whaling Company, and 
■ is used by them as a whaling station and trading post, the gentleman in charge 
being Mr. John W. Kelly, who has given the world an interesting monograph 
on the Arctic Eskimo, together with an Eskimo-English vocabulary. Both were 
published last spring by the United States Bureau of Education. This is also 
the location of the Government refuge station for shipwrecked whalers. 

Within the past 10 years some 2,000 sailors have been wrecked on this Arctic 
coast. So far they have been fortunate in finding vessels within reach to carry 
them south to civilization, but the occasion is liable to come any season when 
they will be compelled to winter here. This to a large body of men means slow 
starvation and death. They could not subsist on the country, and there is no 
adequate provision within 1,500 or 2,000 miles; and when the long Arctic winter 
sets in no power on earth could reach them with help. To provide against any 
such horrible tragedy Capt. Healy early saw the necessity of having an ample 
supply of provisions stored at some central place in the Arctic. The plan grew 
and took shape in his own mind. He enlisted his friends and the men interested 
in the whaling industry, particularly in New Bedford and San Francisco, and 
finally, after many vexatious delays that would have discouraged a less pei'sist- 
ent man, Congress voted the money for the erection of the buildings and the 
procuring of the provisions. 

Last year Capt. Healy brought up the materials and erected the main build- 
ing, which is a low one-story building, 30 by 48 feet in size. The walls, roof, and 
floor are made double, as a protection against the intense cold of this high, north- 
ern latitude in winter. It will accommodate 50 men comfortably; it can shelter 
J 00 if necessary. The house has provisions for 100 men 12 months, and is ap- 
mirably adapted for its purpose. This year Capt. Healy had on board the ma- 
terial for the construction of a storehouse, also an additional supply of pro- 
visions, clothing', and coal. 

The Ootkeavie is one of the villages selected by the United States Bureau 
of Education for the establishment of a school, the contract for which was given 
by Dr. Harris to the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church. The 
money necessary for its establishment was generously contributed by Mrs. 
Elliott F. Shepard, of New York. The teacher is Prof. L. M. Stevenson, of 
Versailles. Ohio, who reai-hed the place on .July 30, 1890. Owing to the short- 
ness of the time and the gi'eat distance from the source of supplies, and the 
dangers of Arctic navigation, I was able to secure material this season for only- 
two of the school buildings and teachers' residences to be erected in the Arctic. 
These were placed at Cape Prince of Wales and Point Hope. Next season I 
hope to erect one at Point Barrow. In the mean time, through the courtesy of 
Capt. Healy, representing the Treasury Department, I secured a room for the 
school in one of the Government buildings. This is the most northern school in 
Amei'ica, and with but one exception in the world, being in latitude 71° 23' north. 
At this point the trend of the continent turns to the eastward. However, on 
this point the ice has pushed a low ridge of sand, which exiends from 8 to 10 
miles farther north. On the end of this sand spit is a small village called Nu- 



1282 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

wuk. On the sand spit midway between the villages is a hunting station, where 
the natives congregate for weeks in summer to kill ducks, as they pass to and 
fro from water to water over the sand spit. Thousands upon thousands are 
killed hei'e every season. 

On the day of our arrival I spent the whole time on shore arranging for the 
school. That evening the wind that had been freshening up all afternoon 
increased to a gale. The barometer was going down, down, down : heavy masses 
of ice were drifting by when the captain gave orders to weigh anchor and make 
a lee on the northeast side of Point Barrow, whither 16 vessels of the whaling 
fleet has preceded us. In a similar storm last summer, shortly after the Bear 
left her anchorage at Ootkeavie, the ice came in and piled up 30 feet high on 
the very spot the vessel had left. The storm proved the severest we had en- 
countered this season, changing the configuration of the coast line for miles. 
At Ootkeavie, 20 tons of coal just landed for the use of the Government school, 
was either swept out to sea or buried 'deep under the sand — no trace of it could 
be found. 

All day long, on the 1st of August, the gale howled and shi'ieked through the 
rigging, but the Bear rode it out in safety. In the evening a new danger pre- 
sented itself. It was found that the great ice pack, which was only 5 to 7 miles . 
distant was closing in upon the shore, and soon we would be prisoners shut up 
in an ice trap. From this there would be no escape until the wind changed and 
drove the ice again off shore. This was the condition of things on August 1, 
1888. A number of the whalers had shifted, for protection, their anchorage 
from the west side of Point Barrow to the east side. The wind that had in- 
creased to a gale suddenly veered around from the southwest to the north, caus- 
ing a heavy sea to break upon the bar. At 9 o'clock that night, the schooner 
Jane Gray, parted her cables and drifted against an iceberg — knocking a large 
hole in her side. She filled rapidly and sank, the crew taking to the small 
boats. The next to slip her moorings was the bark Phoenix. She struck the 
bar and sunk. Her crew drifted about in small boats for six hours in that terri- 
ble storm before they were picked up. Then the barks Mary and Susan, and 
Fleetvnng went on to the bar and pounded to pieces. Several other vessels 
parted their cables, sustaining more or less danger. 

In that fearful storm, when the waters of the Arctic were lashed into billows 
of foam, hurling masses of ice about like driving snow flakes, in the midst of 
snapping chains and crushing spars and tattered sails, when it seemed certain 
destruction to lower a small boat, the revenue cutter Bear rode the storm in 
safety, and her trained crew, under the direction of Cap. Healy, were ventuinng 
their lives and. performing prodigies of valor in rescuing shipwrecked sailors. 
When the storm abated, 160 rescued men were on the decks of the Bear. On 
this occasion, fortunately for us, the storm abated before the ice reached us, 
and August 2 gave us a beautiful afternoon, of which I availed myself to go 
ashore. 

The western and northern coast of America terminates at Point Barrow in lati- 
tude 71° 23' north and longitude 156° 10' west. Beyond this the coast trends to 
the eastward and southward. On the east side of the point is the native village 
of Nuwuk, which consists of a number of underground houses. But few families 
were home at the time of our visit, and they were mainly living in tents outside 
of their winter huts. The first white man to visit this place was Master Elson. 
of H. M. S. Bossom (Capt Beechey's expedition), in August, 1826. One hundred 
and forty-six miles to the eastwai'd in Return Reef, the westernmost point reached 
by Sir John Franklin in his journey to form a junction with Capt. Beechey's ex- 
pedition. The next visit by white men, was that of Capt. Simpson, of the Hudson 
Bay Company, who. in 1837, made the journey from the Mackenzie River. 

During the winters of 1852, 1853, and 1854 H. M. S. Plover wintered in Elson 
Bay to the east of the point. Now a United States revenue marine vessel and 
many whaling ships visit the place annually. 

Soon after returning to the Bear from the village, the captain was visited 
by Capt. Sherman, of the steam whaler William Lenris, and informed that the 
tender of the New Bedford whaling fleet, the bark Tfiomas Pope, which we had 
left but a few days before at anchor at Point Hope, was wrecked in the breakers 
at that point, on the 28th of July, and that the crew wished to be received on 
board the Government vessel and taken back to civilization. Consent having 
been obtained, the ten shipwrecked men were soon after sent on board. As the 
captain had on board the Bear the materials for a Government storehouse at the 
Point Barrow refuge station, he concluded to return at once t(» that place, and 
discharge his freight, that more comfortable quarters might be made for the 
shipwi'ecked sailors. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1283 

The weather was beautiful, the oceau smooth, and the sail exhilarating. At 
midnight the sun was visible in the northwest, and the full moon in the south- 
east. At 1 a. m., August 3, the ship anchored atOotkeavie, where we remained 
a week while tlie ship's carpenters were building the Government storehouse, 
and the captain inspecting the refuge station. During the week, among the 
callers was Mr. J. B. Vincent, the hero of the shipwreck of the bark Napoleon, 
off the cost of Siberia. Mr. Vincent is now second mate on the whaling bark 
Abram Barker. 

One afternoon Capt. Gifford, of the bark Abram Barker, oame on board and 
represented that his engineer, a Russian, had made two or three attempts to dis- 
able the engine, upon which the safety of the ship depended, that he had the 
man in irons, and requested Capt. Healy to take him oft' his hands, as a dan- 
gerous character. The accused man himself joined in the request, and was re- 
ceived on board. This is another instance of the many sided and anomalous 
character of the officers of a revenue vessel in these waters beyond the reach of 
courts and law. This is another instance where the commanding officer of the 
revenue service should have power to investigate, arrest, and commit criminals 
to the United States district court for trial. As it is, a man who endeavored to 
wreck a ship, and endangered many lives, goes free. 

In 1882 Lieut. Ray's party dug a well to the depth of 37.5 feet for observing 
the temperature of the earth. The entire distance was made through frozen 
sand and gravel. At the bottom of the shaft the temperature remained, win- 
ter and summer, uniformly at 12° F. At the depth of 20 feet a tunnel was run 10 
feet and then a room 10 by 12 feet size excavated for a cellar. In this room the 
temperature never rises above 22^ F. Birds and meat, placed in this room, 
freeze solid, and remain so until taken to the kitchen and thawed out for cook- 
ing. While at the station I descended into this unique storage house. The 
carcasses of several reindeer and dozens of eider ducks were taken from it, and 
presented to the ship, making a very welcome addition to our table fare. 

In the spring of 1883, 500 ducks were stored there at one time. At Ootkeavie 
the captain, at the request of the father, received on board a half-breed Eskimo 
boy, about 5 yeai*s of age, who is to be forwarded to the industrial training school 
at Sitka, for an education. 

On Saturday, August 9, the inspection of the refuge station being completed, 
the storehouse finished, and arrangements for the school perfected, preparations 
were made to return southward. At 4:10 p. m. the anchor wasweighed and the 
vessel steamed north a few miles to procure the last letters of the whaling fleet. 
The Stars and Stripes were hoisted to the top of the mainmast as a signal that 
we were about sailing. Soon after anchoring in the midst of the fleet the boats 
l>egan arriving, bringing oft" packagesof letters. At 9:15 p. m. the flag was low- 
ered, the anchor weighed, and the Bear steamed slowly away en route to civili- 
zation. As we passed by the ships, one after another dipped their flags and 
bade us an Arctic farewell, with many wishes for a safe voyage. Great masses 
of heavy black clouds lay along the whole northern horizon, like a curtain to 
hide the unknown regions beyond. To the east of us lay the low land spit that 
marks the northern limit of the continent, the native village of underground 
huts, and the white canvas and skin covered tents of the visiting natives from 
the interior. To the west of us the sun was preparing, at 10 o'clock p. m., for a 
most gorgeous sunset ; and south of us, as if symbolical of the lands of light, 
privilege, and comfort, to which we were to return, there was not a cloud to be 
seen in the beautiful sky. At 10 o'clock p. m. we passed the school and refuge 
station, and soon they faded from sight and were left far behind us, in their 
Arctic solitude, until the Bear again visits them a twelvemonth hence. 

On the 11th of August the captain anchored off Cape Sabine to water ship. In 
this vicinity are extensive and valuable coal banks. On the beach were several 
deserters from the whaling ships, who begged hard to be received on board and 
taken out of the country. One of their number had been drowned. Every year 
men desort from the whalers ; some of these die from exposure, othei's are 
picked up by the Bear, as in the present case, and a few remain in the country, 
descending at once to the level of the natives, demoralizing and doing them 
much more harm than a missionary can do good. 

On the 12th, in rounding Cape Lisburne in a gale, the jib boom and sails were 
carried away, and the ship ran back and anchored in the lea of the cape. The 
country in the vicinity of the cape has been called the flower garden of the 
Arctic, on account of the number and variety of beautiful wild flowers. On the 
13th, although the storm had not fully subsided, the Bear was got under way, 
and that afternoon anchored by the hull of the wrecked Thomas Pope, abreast of 
the schoolhouse at Point Hope. 1 went ashore, but found the schoolhouse locked 
up, and Dr. Driggs, the teacher, absent. 



1284 EDUCATION REPOETy 1889-90. 

On the morning of August 15, we bade good-by to Point Hope, and the fol- 
lowing morning, at 8:4:0 o'clock, dropped anchor off Cape Blossom, Kotzebue 
Sound. The day being pleasant I accompanied an officer to the gi-eat interna- 
tional fair of the Arctic, some 12 miles distant from our anchorage. There were 
about 1,500 natives assembled from many and widely separated sections of the 
country— from Alaska and Siberia. Many were living in tents, but fully half 
had constructed shelters by turning their umiaks or boats upside down. As I 
passed their shelters, my attention was again and again called to the sick. To 
he sick beyond the reach of a physician, with poor care and poorer accommoda- 
tions, and without knowledge of even the commoner remedies, is distress itself. 

As I see these people, so kindly disposed in life, with a smile of welcome to 
the stranger, and then see them languishing in their comfortless shelters, with 
but a few days or weeks removed from death, my heart goes out to them in inex- 
pressible longing, and I wish I could tell them the story of the Cross and intro- 
duce them to the hopss and joys of the gospel. Perhaps I may, at no distant 
day, secure for their children a mission and boarding school. 

The beach was covered with racks, upon which hung long rows of salmon, 
drying for winter food. At 3:35 p. m., on the 27th. having a fair wind, the cap- 
taiii weighed anchor and sailed for Cape Prince of Wales. On the afternoon of 
the 19th. we passed through Bering Strait, and bade good-by to the Arctic 
Ocean. The sea was so rough that the captain gave up all hope of being able 
to land at the cape. But during the afternoon the wind died out and the sea 
calmed down, so that he was able to run in shore and anchor abreast of the vil- 
lage at 6 o'clock p. m. We could not have landed through the surf the day 
before, the day after, or at any other time that day. God's pi'ovidence stayed 
the waves sufficiently long for us to visit the shore and transact our business. 

Had we passed by without stopping the teachers would have been unable to 
send down their orders for the annual supply of provisions, and next year they 
would have been unsupplied. As it was I had four hours with them. The wind 
increasing, at 10 o'clock we were again under way. On the 20th we steamed by 
King and Sledge islands (the sea being too rough to land), and at noon on the 
21st dropped anchor off St. Michael, Norton Sound. Soon after we had a call 
from Mr. Henry Newmann, agent of the Alaska Commercial Comi)any, and Rev. 
William H. Judge, a Jesuit priest, who has lately come to the country to engage 
in the school work of the Roman Catholic Church on the Yukon River. 

St. Michael is located on the first good site for a trading post north of the 
delta of the Yukon River, and is the headquarters of the trade of the Yukon 
valley. To this point the furs collected at the trading posts in the interior, 
some of them 2,000 miles distant, are brought for reshipment to San Francisco. 
About half a mile fvom the trading jDost is a small native village. The trading 
post was established by the Russians in 1835, and is now occupied by the Alaska 
Commercial Company. A blockhouse and some of the original buildings are 
still standing. Through the courtesy of Mr. Henry Newmann, two small Rus- 
sian cannon, one of which was originally used in the defense of the place and the 
other in protecting the boating expeditions up the I'iver. were secured for the 
(collection of the Alaska Society of Natural History. At St. Michael 1 received 
a good account of the schools, nine of which receive their supplies and mails at 
this point. 

It is said of one of the missionaries, who is some 2,000 miles, more or less, up 
the river, t-hat when he saw his freight bill of $125 per ton for transportation 
from St. Michael to his station, he added a petition in his praj'er that freight 
might be reduced. During the stay at St. Michael two interesting boys, Wil- 
liam and George Prederickson, from Anvik, on the Yukon River, were received 
on board to accompany me East. Their father, a trader, is sending them to New 
York iov an education. After a pleasant visit of two days, the Bear took her 
leparture for Nunivak island. On the following Sabbath night, and thi'ough all 
Monday, we were steaming around the island, that the captain might secure the 
census. Finding that the people were scattered, hunting and fishing, and be- 
ing warned by the few natives he met of dangerous rocks and reefs, and the 
waters being uncharted j^ on Monday evening the captain turned around and 
steamed for St. George Island, which we reached on the morning of August 
27. Nearing the island, a schooner was seen crowding on all sail to get out of 
our way. As the captain had not yet received his instructions, which were await- 
ing his arrival at Unalaska, and had no authority to make any seizures, the 
schooner was allowed to proceed unmolested. She was one of the many pirati- 
cal vessels that are fitted out at Victoria, British Columbia, and San Francisco, 
to hunt seals in Beijing Sea contrary to law. In 1886 there wej*e 21 such ves- 
sels from Victoria alone, and the catch was 35,556 skins. In 1887 there were 



EDUCATION IN Af.ASKA. 1285 

20 v(\ssels from Victoria, 8 of which were seized ; tlie catch was 27,624 skins. 
In 1888 there were U» British vessels, with a total catch of nearly 30,000 skins. 
In 188i), 2:5 British vessels, and this year 22 British and 12 American vessels en- 
gaged ill, seal ])iracy. Their methods of operation are so wasteful that theniim- 
ber of skins taken does not begin to represent the number of seals killed. They 
necessarily hunt out to sea, where they largely kill the females heavy with their 
young. A large percentage of the seals shot sink before they can be secured, so 
that many authorities state that the 20,000 to 30,000 secured rei)resentfrom 150,- 
000 to 200,000 seals destroyed. This wasteful method is rapidly annihilating the 
fur seal, so that if our granddaughters are to have seal -skin sacques the Govern- 
ment will need to take more stringent measures for the protection of the seal. 
The indiscriminate slaughter of the seal while passing to their breeding grounds 
has caused such a scarcity on the seal islands, that while the Government allows 
100,000 males to be taken annually, this year the vessels have been able to se- 
cure but 21,000 skins. 

The piratical vessels fitted out at Victoria, British Columbia, to hunt seal 
have caused the international complications known as the " Bering Sea ditifi- 
culty," which are now the subject of negotiations between the State Depart- 
ment and Great Britain. 

WHALING INDUSTRY. - 

As early as the year 1841 fifty whaling vessels had found their way from New 
Bedford and Boston to Bering Sea. From 1842 and onward for a number of 
3^ears annual complaints were made to the Russian Government by the Russian- 
American Fur Company of the encroachments of the Yankee whalers. In 1852 
the whaling fleet had increased to 278 vessels, and the value of the catch to 
$14,000,000. This was probably the most profitable year of the whaling industry 
in Alaska. Since then it has, in the main, decreased, until in 1862 the value 
of the catch was less than $800,000. This increased again in 1867 to $3,200,000. In 
1880 the first steamer was added to the whaling fleet, being sent out from San 
Francisco. Last year there were 26 vessels from San Francisco and 23 from New 
New Bedford engaged in the trade. They captured 151 whales, which yielded 
213,070 pounds of whale bone and 12,243 barrels of oil. This season there are 10 
steamers and 38 sailing vessels employed in these northern waters with a vex'y 
light catch up to midsummer. The whaling vessels are manned upon the co- 
operative plan ; the men instead of being paid regular wages receive a percent- 
age of the profits. The captain on the sailing vessels receives a twelfth, the 
first mate a nineteenth, the second mate and boat headers each a twenty-fifth, 
the third mate a thirtieth, thefoui'th mate, carpenter, cooper, and steward each 
a fiftieth, and the sailors each a one hundred and seventy-fifth. On steamers 
the rates are a little lower. A captain's wages range from nothing to $7,000 or 
$8,000, according to the number of whales taken. If the shijj gets six whales 
during a cruise the captain will have about $1,400 and a sailor $100. The sailors 
usually receive an advance of $60, and during the cruise are allowed to draw cloth- 
ing, tobacco, etc.,- from the ship's supplies (called the "slop chest") to the amount 
of $60 to $80. Consequently if there are no profits to divide the sailor is sure of 
about $140. The captains and higher officers are usually men of more than ordi- 
nary character and intelligence — typical American seamen of the best kind. 
The common sailors on a whaler are made up largely of Portuguese, Italians, 
South Sea Islanders, and others of an inferior grade, some of them being, em- 
phatically, hard cases. 

A few years ago whales wore plentiful in the North Pacific, Bering, and Ok- 
hotsk Seas. Then they were followed through Bering Straits a little way into 
the Arctic. Then farther and farther the whales have been driven into the 
inaccessible regions of the North, until now the whaling fleet annually rounds 
the most northern extremity of the American continent, and this year, for the 
first time, a few of them will winter in the Arctic, at the mouth of the Makenzie 
River. To escape this deadly pursuit the whales try to hide in the ice, and after 
them the whalers boldly force their way. The business is so dangerous that dur- 
ing the last 20 years more than 100 vessels have been lost. The value of the 
whale fisheries consists not so much in the oil taken, as in the whale-bone, which 
is taken from his mouth; this is worth between $4.50 and $5 per pound. The 
product of a fair sized, bowhead whale, at Dresent prices, is worth about $8,000. 
A good sized whale weighs about 150 tons", and contains about 2,000 pounds of 
whalebone after it is cleaned. His tongue is 15 feet long, from 6 to 8 feet in thick- 
ness, and contains 12 barrels of oil. His open mouth is from 15 to 20 feet across ; 



1286 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

his tail from 15 to 18 feet across. The blubbei- foriiis a coat around liim from 10 
to 22 inches thick. It is 4 feet from the outside of the body to his heart, and the 
heart is 216 cvibic feet in size, while the brains will fill a barrel. 

While lying at anchor at St. George, the United States Revenua Marine 
steamer Bush, Capt. Coulson commanding, dropped anclior near us, and we re- 
ceived two and one-half months later news from the outside world. With visit- 
ing on shipboard and on land, the day slipped by very rapidly and pleasantly, 
and the following morning we were under way for Unalaska, reaching there on 
the 29th of August. At Unlaska I received letters from Eastern friends, the 
latest being dated June 2. 

THE ESKIMOS OF ALASKA. 

During June, July, and August, I cruised 5,000 miles along the coasts of Asia 
and America, from the Aleutian Islands to Point Barrow, the northern limit of 
the continent, and back to Unalaska. I visited all the principal settlements of 
the coast, and saw much of the native people. These people all belong to the 
Innuit or Eskimo family. They occupy not only the Arctic and Bering Sea 
coasts, but also that of the mainland coast of the North Pacific, as far east as 
mount St. Elias, and number in all aboutl7.000to 20,000. In the extreme north, 
at Point Barrow, and along the coast of Bering Sea, they are of medium size. 
At Point Barrow the average height of the males is 5 feet 3 inches, and average 
weight 153 pounds ; of the women, 4 feet 11 inches, and weight 135. On the 
Nushagak River the average weight of the men is from 150 to 167 pounds. 

From Cape Prince of Wales to Icy Cape, and on the great inland rivers emptying 
into the Arctic Ocean, they are a large race, many of them being 6 feet and over in 
height. They are lighter in color and fairer than the North American Indian, 
have black and brown eyes, black hair (some with a tinge of brown), high cheek 
bones, fleshy faces, small hands and feet, and good teeth. The men have thin 
beards. Along the Arctic coast the men cut their hair closely on the crown of 
the head, giving them the appearance of monks; this is done so that when crawl- 
ing up to the deer, the latter will not be frightened away by the flutter of the 
hair in the wind. Some of the young are fairly good looking, but, through ex- 
posure and hardship, become old at 30 years of age. They are naturally intelli- 
gent, ingenious in extricating themselves from difficulties, fertile in resources, 
and quick to adopt American ways and methods when they are an improvement 
on their own. Physically they are very strong, with great powers of endurance. 
When on a journey, if food is scarce, they will travel 30 to 40 miles without 
breaking their fast. Lieut. Cantwell, in his explorations of the Kowah River, 
makes record that upon one occasion when he wanted a heavy stone for an an- 
chor, a woman went out, and, alone, loaded into her birch bark canoe, and 
brought him a stone that would weigh 800 pounds. It took two strong men to 
lift it out of the canoe. 

Another explorer speaks of a woman carrying off on her shoulder a box of 
lead weighing 280 povmds. This summer, in erecting the school buildings in the 
Arctic, there being no drays or horses in that country, all the timber, lumber, 
hardware, etc., had to be carried from the beach to the site of the house on the 
shoulders of the people. The women carried the same loads as the men. They 
are, as a rule, industrious; men, women, and children doing their individual 
part toward the family support. The hard struggle for a bare existence in the 
sterile region where they live compels it. In a general way they are honest. 
Property intrusted to them by the whites is kept secure. Property stowed away 
in a cache or tent needs no lock or watchman — it is safe. Small articles left ly- 
ing around uncared for are soon picked up and carried off. Perhaps they look 
upon them as if they had been thrown away. A white man can leave with one of 
them who is an entire stranger to him $100 or $200 worth of goods, saying, " Buy 
me some furs and I will be back here next year." The following season the na- 
tive, with the furs, is in waiting for the expected arrival. This is done evei'y sea- 
son. I have the account-book of one of these native traders in which he has re- 
corded every skin purchased, and how much of each article paid for it. As the 
native can neither read, write, nor speak English, and his own language is an 
unwritten one, of course the accounts are kept by symbols and signs. They are 
shrewd traders. No matter how much is offered for an article, they ask for more. 
If they set the price themselves, and the purchaser accedes to it, they frequently 
attempt to raise it. They are exceedingly dirty and filthy in their persons and 
clothing. But perhaps this is somewhat excusable in a country where, in win- 
ter, water is scarce and soap scarcer. I remember once hearing a very successful 
missionary, who had spent many years north of the Arctic Circle, say that he 



EDUCATION JN ALASKA. 1287 

ti'ied to make it a rule, when tcaveling with a dog sled, to wash his face at least 
once a week, but that he had not always been able to do it. The Alaska Eskimo 
is a good-natured, docile, and accommodating race. Wherever I met them, and 
under whatever circumstances, they liad a smile of welcome, and in many ways 
showed a friendly spirit. They have also manifested an unexpected interest in 
the establishment of schools among them, which promises well for the future. 

ORNAMENTATION . 

Among' the Thlinket people of southeastern Alaska thelabretis worn by the 
women only. Among the Eskimo of northwestern Alaska, on the contrary, it 
is worn by the men alone. The use of it is almost universal. 

During boyhood a hole is cut through the lower lip below each corner of the 
mouth and -an ivory plug inserted until the wound heals. After healing, the 
hole is stretched from time to time until it reaches about half an inch in diam- 
eter. Into this they insert the labret. 

These labrets ai^e made of stone, jade, coal, ivory, bone, and glass. They are 
shaped like a silk hat in miniature. The labret is three-fourths of an inch in 
diameter, 1 inch in diameter at the rim, and 1 inch long. The rim is kept in- 
side of the mouth and holds the labret in place. 

Many wear this form of labret on the one side of the mouth, and on the other a 
much larger one, resembling a large sleeve-button, II inches in diameter on the 
outside, li inches on the inside rim, and one-half inch neck. 

Formerly they wore a large labret in the center of the lower lip. I secured a 
beautiful one of polished jade that has an outside surface 2i inches by I inch. 

The girls have their ears and sometimes their noses pierced, wearing pendant 
from them copper, ivory, and bone ornaments, also strings of beads. Sometimes 
these beads extend from one ear to the other, either under the chin or back of 
the head. 

Both sexes tatoo, more or less elaborately, their faces, hands, and arms. Both 
sexes wear bracelets, amulets, and sometimes fancy belts. 

DRESS. 

They make waterproof boots of seal skin, with walrus or sea-lion hide soles. 
For cold weather the boots are made of seal or reindeer skin, tanned with the hair 
on, and walrus-hide soles. 

The foot portion is made many times larger than the foot, in order to give 
I'oom for a padd ing of grass. These boots are so much warmer and more comfort- 
able than the ordinary leather ones that they are almost universally used by 
whalers and others who have occasion to visit Arctic regions. A fur shirt and 
a pair of fur pants complete the toilet. The shirt is called a parka, and fre- 
quently has a hood attached, which can be pulled over the head in a storm. 
Others have a fur hood which, when not on the head, hangs around the neck. 
Ordinarily in summer the head is uncovered. 

In winter two suits are worn, the inner one with the fur next to the body, and 
the outer one with the fur to the weather. 

The difference between male and female attire is in the shape and ornamenta- 
tion of the parka. Among some of the tribes the pants and boots of the women 
are in one garment. Thei'e is also a fullness in the back of the woman's parka 
to make room for the carrying of the baby inside between the shoulders of the 
mother. These clothes are made largely of the skins of the reindeer, squirrels, 
and birds. Prom the intestines of the seal and walrus and also from salmon 
skins ai"e made the famous kamleika, a waterproof garment, which is worn over 
the others in wet weather. The kamleika is lighter in weight and a better 
waterpi-oof garment than the rubber garments of commerce. 

The native dress, when well made, new and clean, is both becoming and ar- 
tistic. 

FOOD. 

They live principally upon the fish, seal, walrus, whale, reindeer, and wild 
birds of their country. Latterly they are learning the use of flour, which they 
procure from the Government revenue vessels or barter from the whalei's. 

They have but few household utensels. A few have secured iron kettles. 
Many still use grass- woven baskets and bowls of wood and stone. Occasionally 
is found a jar of burnt clav. In these native dishes water was boiled by drop- 
ping in hot stones. 



r288 EDUCATION RltPOET, 1889-90. 

Among the more northern tribes much of the food is eaten raw, and nothing 
is thrown away, no matter how rotten or offensive it has become. 

Some of their choicest delicacies would be particularly disgusting tons. Hav- 
ing, at one of the bird rookeries in the Arctic, gathered a number of eggs, it 
was found that many of them contained chickens. When about to throw them 
overboard, the native interpreter remonstrated, saying : " No I me eat them. 
Good ! " 

All classes have a great craving for tobacco and liquor. Even nursing babes 
are seen with a quid of tobacco in their mouths. 

During the summer large quantities of fish are dried, and the oil df the seal, 
walrus, and whale put up for winter use. The oil is kept in bags made of 
the skin of the seal, similar to the water-skins of Oriental lands. The oil is 
kept sweet by the bags being buried in the frozen earth until wanted for use. 

DWELLINGS. 

The coast Eskimo have underground permanent houses in villages for winter, 
and tents that are frequently shifted for summer. 

The Eskimo of the interior, being largely nomads, live in tents much of the 
time. The tents are covered with reindeer skins, walrus hides, or cotton can- 
vas. In making a winter house, a cellar from 20 to 25 feet square is dug, from ."! 
to 5 feet deep. At the corners and along the sides of the excavation are set 
posts of driftword or whalebone. On the outside of these, poles of driftwood are 
laid up one upon another to the top. Other timbers are placed across the top, 
•foi'ming the roof or ceiling. Against the outside and upon the roof, dirt and 
sod are piled until the whole has the appearance of a large mound. In the cen- 
ter of the dome is an opening about 18 inches across. Across this is stretched 
the transparent bladder of the seal or walrus. This opening furnishes light to 
the room below. A narrow platform extends along one or more sides of the 
room, \ipon which are stowed the belongings of the family and the reindeer-skin 
bedding. The platform is also the sleeping-place of the family. 

Lai'ge, shallow dishes of earthenware, bone, or stone, filled with seal oil, are 
the combined stove and lamp of the family. Some lighted moss makes a dull 
line of flame along the edge of the dish. Frequently a piece of blubber is sus- 
pended over the flame, the dripping of which keeps the lamp replenished. 

Many of the houses were so warm that we found our usual outdoor clothing 
burdensome. 

At one side of some rooms, and in the floor near the center of the room in 
others, is a small opening about 20 inches square. This is the doorway, and 
leads to a hall or outside room. If the opening is in the side of the room, a rein- 
deer skin curtain hangs over it. This outer place is sometimes a hall 12 to 15 
feet long and 2 feet wide and high, leading to a well or shaft. This shaft is 6 or 
7 feet deej), and leads up a rude ladder into the open air. In other cases it is a 
large room 12 or 15 feet square, containing, on either side of the passageway 
through the center, a place to store the winter supplies of oil, fish, and flour. 
The exit from the storeroom is similar to that from the hall, up a ladder and 
through a small hole. When a storm is raging outside this hole is covered with 
a board or flat stone or large, flat whalebone. 

All villages of importance contain a public room or town hall. This is built 
in the same manner as the private dwellings, only much larger. Some of these 
are 60 feet square, 20 feet high, and contain three tiers or platforms. This build- 
ing is called the kashima or kashga. In them are held the public festivals and 
dances. They are also the common workshop in which the men make their 
snowshoes, dog sleds, spears and other implements. 

The villages, from the deck of a coasting vessel, have the appearance of so 
many hillocks or dunes along the beach. 

IMPLEMENTS. 

The Eskimo of Arctic Alaska ave still in the stone age. The manufacture of 
arrows and spear heads from flint is a living industry. Stone lamps, stone ham- 
mers and chisels, and to some extent stone knives, are still in ordinary use among 
them. Fish lines and nets and bird snares are still made of whalebone, sinew, 
or rawhide. Arrows, spears, nets, and traps are used in hunting, although im- 
proved breach-loading arms are being introduced among them, and will soon 
supersede, for the larger game, their own more primitive weapons. 

For transportation on land they have the snowshoe, dog team, and sled ; and 
on the water the kiak and umiak. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1289 

The kiak is a long-, narrow, light, g-raceful, skin-covered canoe, with one, two. 
or throe liole.s, according td the number of people to be carried. It is the uni- 
versal boat of the Eskimo, and is found from Greenland around the whole north- 
ci-n coast of America, wherever that people are found. 

l"'he umiak is a long, skin-covered boat. This is the family boat or carryall. 
I'liose in usc^ around Bering Straits are about 24 feet long and 5 feet wide. They 
will safely carry 15 persons and 500 pounds of freight, coasting in the sea. Those 
n K'otzebue Sound, in the Arctic Ocean, are 35 feet long, 6 feet wide, with a 
Oapaoity of ."5,000 pounds of freight, and a crew of (5. There are exceptionally 
clarge ones that will carry from 50 to 80 people. Both the kiaks and umiaks arc 
made of walrus, sea lion, or white whale hides stretched over light frames of 
spruce wood. 

MARRIAGE. 

There seems to be no special ceremony among them connected with marriage. 
If the parties are young people, it is lai'gely arranged by the parents. 

Among some of the tribes the husband joins his wife's family and is expected 
to hunt and fish for them. If he refuses to ' give his father-in-law the furs he 
takes he is driven out of the house and some one else more active or obedient 
is installed as husband of the girl. Sometimes a young woman has tenor twelve 
husbands before she fairly settles down. Under this condition of things it is not 
strange that the women become indifferent and often untrue to their husbands. 
Love and mutual afiection has so little to do with the relation that upon occa- 
sion husbands and wives are intei'changed. 

For instance, in one of the northern villages dwelt a family of expert fishers 
and another that was successful at hunting the reindeer. One year the fisher- 
man thought he would like to hvmt reindeer. Finding that his neighbor would 
like to try fishing, they exchanged wives for the summer. The woman who was 
a good hunter went off v/ith the fisherman and vice versa. Upon reaching home 
in the fall, they returned to their i*espeetive husbands. 

Again a certain man wished to make a long journey into the interior. His 
wife being sick and unable to endure the hardships of the fip; he arranged with 
a friend, who had a strong, healthy wife, for an exchange until he should re- 
turn. This was done with the consent of all parties. Wives are frequency 
beaten by their husbands, and sometimes, to escape abusf!, commit suicide. lii 
the winter of 1889 a woman at Point Hope who had been beaten and stabbed by 
her jealous husband one night during a raging blizzard harnessed the dogs to the 
sled, then fastening one end of a rope to the sled and the other as a noose around 
her neck, she started up the team and was choked and dragged to death. Oc- 
casionally a wife resists, ai^d, if i^hysically the stronger, thrashes tbe husband. 
Polygamy prevails to a limited extent. Frequently the second wife is looked on 
and treated as a servant in the family. Among some of the tribes the custom 
prevails of the sons having the same number of wives as the father, without 
reference to their ability to maintain them. No more, no less, than a species of 
hereditary polygamy. 

Among the Eskimo, the same as among all uncivilized people, woman's is a 
hard lot. One of the missionary ladies writes: "My heartaches for the girls 
of our pai't of Alaska. They are made perfect prostitutes by their parents from 
the time they are 9 Or 10 j'ears old until that parent dies. And yet, notwith- 
standing all their disadvantages, they have a voice in both family and village 
aft'airs. The husband makes no important bargain, or plans a trip, without con- 
sulting and deferring to his wife." 

The customs pertaining to childbirth are barbarous, and it would not be strange 
if both mother and child should perish. Large families of children are the ex- 
ception; few have above four. The drudgery of women is such that they often 
destroy their unborn and sometimes born offspring, particularly if the child is 
a girl. A missionary gives the following incident : "Some one tied a helpless 
little child of about two years down to the water's edge at low tide. Its cries 
attracted the attention of a passer-by, who found the water already nearly up to 
his back. The man took it to his home and cared for it. It was recognized as 
a child that had been left in the care of an old woman: the child was sickly, and 
doubtless was too much of a care for her. The only surprise expressed by the 
people was that any one should want to drown or kill a boy." 

If a family is very poor they sometimes give away to childless neighbors all 
their children but one. Thus, during childhood, a boy may pass from one to 
another to be adopted by several families in turn. Children are also sold by 
tlieir parents, the usual market price of a child being a sealskin bag of oil or an 



1290 EDUCATION jfePOKT, 1889-90. 

old suit of clothes. During infancy children are carried under the parka, astride 
of the mother's back, being held in position by a strap under the child's thigha 
and around the mother's body across the chest. When out from under the parka, 
they are carried seated on the back of the mother's neck and shoulders, with 
the child's legs hanging down in front on both sides of the neck. The children 
are given the names of various animals, birds, fish, sections of country, winds, 
tides, heavenly bodies, etc. Sometimes they have as many as six names. Chil- 
dren are rarely punished — generally have their own way, and are usually treated 
with gi-eat kindness by their own or foster parents. Prominent events in the 
life of a boy, such as having his hair cut for the first time, like a hunter — his 
first trip to sea in a kiak — his first use of snowshoes, etc. — are celebrated by a 
feast if the family are not too poor. 

FESTIVALS. 

Different tribes have different festivals. Among others there is usually one 
for every animal hunted by the people. A whale dance, seal, walrus and rein- 
deer dances, etc. There are festivities for the spirits of wives, land and sea, 
dead friends, sleds, boats, etc. Some of these are held during the long winter 
darkness, and others, with dancing, wrestling, and foot-racing, at the great an- 
nual gathering in summer. 

SUPERSTITIONS. 

Like all other ignorant people, they are firm believers in witchcraft and spirits 
generally. They also believe in the transmigration of souls. That spirits enter 
into animals and inanimate nature, into rocks, winds, and tides. That they are 
good or bad according as the business, the community, or the individual is suc- 
cessful or unsuccessful, and that these conditions can be changed by sorcery. 
By suitable incantations they firmly balieve that they can control the wind and 
the elements, that they can reward friends and punish enemies. 

The foundation of their whole religious system is this belief in spirits and the 
appeasing of evil spirits. This demon or evil spirit worship colors their whole 
life and all its pursuits. Every particular animal hunted, every phenomenon of 
nature, every event of life, requires a religious observance of its own. It is a 
heavy and bui'densome work that darkens their life — it leads to many deeds of 
unnatural cruelty. At the mouth of the Kuskokwine River an old woman was 
accused of having caused the death of several children — of being a witch. This 
was so firmly believed that her own husband pounded her to death, cut up her 
body into small pieces, severing joint from joint, and then consuming it with oil 
in a fire. 

SHAMANS. 

The head and front of this great evil is the Shaman, or sorcerer. He is be- 
lieved to be the only one that can control the evil spirits and protect the people 
from them. Mr. John W. Kelly, who has written recently an interesting mono- 
gram on the Eskimo, represents the Shamans as divided into seven degrees, 
being graded according to their knowledge of spiritualism, ventriloquism, feats 
of legerdemain and general cunning. It is claimed that those of the seventh 
degree are immortal, and can neither be killed nor wounded ; that those of the 
sixth degree can be wounded, but not killed. The ordinary Shaman belongs to 
the lower degrees and only claims to go into trances, in which state his spirit 
leaves the body and roams abroad procuring the information his patrons are in 
search of. 

As a rule the Shamans are unscrupulous frauds, thieves, and murderers, and 
should be put down by the strong hand of the General Government. 

SICKNESS. 

The prevailing diseases among the Eskimo are scrofula, diphtheria, pneu- 
monia, and consumption, and the death rate is large. They have a superstitious 
fear with reference to a death in the house, so that when the sick are thought 
to be nearing death they are carried out of the home and placed in an outhouse. 
If they do not die as soon as they expect, they ask to be killed, which is usually 
done by the Shaman stabbing them in the temple or breast. The aged and help- 



'■< 




Point Barrow Natives. (Page 1290.) 
(From the U. S. Revenue Marine.) 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1291 

less are also sometimes killed at their own request. A jn-ominent man in a tribe 
not long since tried to hire men to kill his aunt, who was insane and dejiendent 
on him. Failing to have her killed, he deliberately froze her to death. The 
cr\ielty of heathenism is almost beyond belief. The dead are wrapped up in 
reindeer or seal skins and drawn on a sled back of the village, where they are 
placed upon elevated scaffolds, out of the reach of animals, or upon the ground 
and covered over with driftwood, or, as among some of the tribes, left upon the 
ground, to be soon torn in pieces and devoured by the dogs of the village. 

GOVERNMENT. 

The Eskimos have no tribal organization and are without chiefs. The most 
successful trader among them becomes the wealthiest man and is called Umailik. 
By virtue of the influence that riches exert he is considered the leader in busi- 
ness transactions. In special exigencies, affecting a whole village, the old men 
assemble and determine upon a plan of action. The Shamans also have great 
influence among the people. It often happens that the Umailik and Shaman 
are the same person. 

POOD SUPPLY. 

From time immemorial they have lived upon the whale, the walrus, and the 
seal of their coasts, the fish and aquatic birds of their rivers, and the caribou or 
wild reindeer of their vast inland plains. 

The supply of these in years past was abundant and furnished ample food for 
all the people. But fifty years ago American whalers, having largely exhausted 
the whale in other waters, found their way into the North Pacific Ocean. 
Then commenced for that section the slaughter and destruction of whales that 
went steadily forward at the rate of hundreds and thousands annually, until 
they were destroyed and driven out of the Pacific Ocean. They were then fol- 
lowed into Bering Sea, and the slaughter went on. The whales took refuge 
among the ice fields of the Arctic Ocean, and thither the whalers followed. In 
this relentless hunt the remnant have been driven still farther into the inacces- 
sible regions around the north pole, and are n© longer within reach of the 
natives. 

As the great herds of buffalo that once roamed the western prairies have 
been exterminated for their pelts, so the whales have been sacrificed for the fat 
that encased their bodies and the bone that hung in their mouths. With the 
destruction of the whale one large source of food supply for the natives has 
been cut off. 

Another large supply was derived from the walrus, which once swarmed in 
great numbers in those northern seas. But commerce wanted more ivory, and 
the whalers turned their attention to the walrus, destroying thousands an- 
nually for the sake of their tusks. Where a few years ago they were so numer- 
ous that their bellowings were heard above the roar of the waves and grinding 
and crashing of the ice fields, this year I cruised for weeks without seeing or 
hearing one. The walrus as a source of food supply is already practically ex- 
tinct. 

The seal and sea lion, once so common in Bering Sea, are now becoming so 
scarce that it is with difficulty that the natives procure a sufficient number of 
skins to cover their boats, and their flesh, on account of its rarity, has become a 
luxury. 

In the past the natives, with tireless industry, caught and cured for use in 
their long winters great quantities of fish, but American canneries have already 
come to one of their streams (Nushagak) and will soon be found on all of them, 
both carrying the food out of the country and by their wasteful methods destroy- 
ing the future supply. Five million cans of salmon annually shipped away from 
Alaska — and the business still in its infancy — means starvation to the native 
races in the near futui'e. 

With the advent of improved breech-loading firearms the wild reindeer are 
both being killed off and frightened away to the remote and more inaccessible 
regions of the interior and another source of food supply is diminishing. 
_ Thus the support of the people is largely gone and the process of slow starva- 
tion and extermination has commenced along the whole Arctic coast of Alaska. 
Villages that once numbered thousands have been reduced to hundreds : of 
some tribes but two or three families remain. At Point Barrow, in 1828, Capt. 
Beechey's expedition found Nuwuk a village of 1,000 people ; in 1863 there were 
15953 4 



1292 EDUCATION REPOET, 1889-90. 

309 ; now there are not over 100. In 1826 Capt. Beechey speaks of finding a 
large population at Cape Franklin : to-day it is without an inhabitant. He also 
mentions a large village of 1,000 to2, 000 people on Schismareff Inlet ; it has now 
but three houses. 

According to Mr. John W. Kelly, who has written a monograph upon the 
xVrctic Eskimo of Alaska. Point Hope, at the commencement of the century, had 
a population of 2,000; now it has about 350. Mr. Kelly further says: '"The 
Kavea county is almost depopulated owing to the scarcity of game, which has 
been killed or driven away. * * * The coast tribes between Point Hope and 
Point Barrow have been cut down in popvdation so as to be almost obliterated. 
The Kookpovoros of Point Lay have only three huts left ; the Ootookas of Icy 
Cape one hut : the Koogmute has three settlements of from one to four families ; 
Sezaro has about 80 people.". 

Mr. Henry D. Woolfe, who has spent many years in the Arctic region, writes : 
"Along the seacoast from Wainright Inlet to Point Lay numerous remains of 
housestestify to the former number of the people. * "' * Prom Cape Seppings 
to Cape Krusenstern and inland to Nounatok River there still remain about 40 
people, the remnant of a tribe called Key-wah-ling-nach-ah-mutes. They will in a 
few years entirely disappear as a distinctive tribe." 

I myself saw a number of abandoned villages and crumbling houses during the 
summer, and wherever I visited the people I heard the same tale of destitution. 

On the island of Attou. once famous for the number of its sea-otter skins, the 
catch for the past nine years has avei'aged but 3 sea-otter and 25 fox skins, an 
annual income of about $2 for each person. The Alaska Commercial Company 
this past summer sent $1,300 worth of provisions to keep them from starving. 

At Akutan the whole catch for the past summer was 19 sea otters. This repre- 
sents the entire support of 100 people for twelve months. At Unalaska both the 
agent of the Alaska Commei'cial Company and the teacher of the Government 
school testified that there would be great destitution among the people this 
winter because of the disappearance of the sea otter. At St. George Island the 
United States Treasury agent testified that there was not sufficient provisions 
on the island to last through the season, and asked that a Government vessel might 
be sent with a full supply. At Cape Pi-ince of Wales, Point Hope, and Point 
Barrow was the same account of short supply of food. At the latter place inti- 
mations were given that the natives in their distress would break into the Gov- 
ernment warehouse and help themselves to the supply that is in store for shi2> 
wrecked whalers. At Point Barrow, largely owing to the insufficient food 
supply, the death rate is reported to the birth rate as 15 to 1. It does not take 
long to figure out the end. They will die off more and more rapidly as the already 
insufficient food supply becomes less and less. 

INTRODUCTION OF REINDEER. 

In this crisis it is important that steps should be taken at once to afford relief. 
Relief can. of course, be afforded by Congress voting an appropriation to feed 
them, as it has done for so many of the North Americftn Indians. But I think that 
every one familiar with the feeding process among the Indians will devoutly wish 
that it may not be necessary to extend that system to the Eskimo of Alaska. It 
would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, and, worse than that, de- 
grade, pauperize, and finally exterminate the people. There is a better, cheaper, 
more practical, and more humane way, and that is to introduce into northern 
Alaska the domesticated reindeer of Siberia, and train the Eskimo young men 
in their management, care, and propagation. 

This would in a few years create as permanent and secui'e a food supply for 
tlie Eskimo as cattle or sheep raising in Texas or New Mexico does for the peo- 
ple of those sections. 

It may be necessary to afford temporary I'elief for two or three years to the 
Eskimo, until the herds of domestic reindeer can be started, but after that the 
people will be self-supporting. 

x\s you well know, in the Arctic and sub- Arctic regions of Lapland and Siberia 
the domesticated reindeer isfood, clothing, house,furniture, implements, and trans- 
portation to the people. Its milk and flesh furnish food; its mari'ow and tongue 
are considered choice delicacies; its blood, mixed with the contents of its stom- 
ach, is made into a favorite dish called in Siberia "manyalla;" its intestines are 
cleaned, filled with tallow, and eaten as a sausage; its skin is made into clothes, 
bedding, tent covers, reindeer harness, ropes, cords, and fish lines; the hard skia 
of the forelegs makes an excellent covering for snowshoes. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1293 

Its sinews are dried and pounded into a str()ii<>- and lasting thread; its bones 
are soaked in soal oil and bui-ned for fuel: its horns are made into various kinds 
of household implements, into weapons for hunting and war, and in the manu- 
facture of sleds. 

Indeed, I know of no other animal that in so many different ways can minister 
to the comfort and well-being' of man in the far northern regions of the earth as 
the reindeer. 

The reindeer form their riches; these their tents. 

Their robes, their beds, and all their homely wealth supply; 

Their wholesome fare and cheerful cups. 

Under favorable cii'cumstances a swift reindeer can traverse 150 miles in a day. 
A speed of 100 miles per day is easily made. As a beast of burden they can 
draw a load of 300 pounds. 'They yield a cupful of milk at a milking; this'sniall 
quantity, however, is so thick and rich that it needs to be diluted with nearly a 
quart of water to make it drinkable. It has a strong flavor like goat's milk, 
and is more nutritious and nourishing than cow's milk. The Laps manufacture 
from it butter and cheese. A dressed reindeer in Siberia weighs from 80 to 100 
pounds. The reindeer feed upon the moss and other lichens that abound in the 
Arctic regions, and the farther north the larger and stronger the reindeer. 

Now. in Central and Ai'ctic Alaska are between :{00, 000 and 400,000 square miles 
(an ai*ea equal to the New England and Middle States combined, together with 
Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois) of moss-covered tundra and rolling plains of grass 
that are specially adapted by nature for the grazing of the reindeer and is prac- 
tically useless for any other purpose. 

If it is a sound public policy to bore artesian wells and build water-storage 
reservoirs, by which thousands of arid acres can be reclaimed from barrenness 
and made fruitful, it is equally a sound public policy to stock the plains of Alaska 
with herds of domesticated reindeer, and cause those vast, di-eary, desolate, 
frozen, and storm-swept regions to minister to the wealth, happiness, comfort, 
and well-being of man. What stock-raising has been and is on the vast plains 
of Texas, Coloi'ado, Wyoming, and Montana, reindeer-raising can be in north- 
ern Alaska. In the corresponding regions of Lapland, in Arctic Norway, and 
In Sweden and Russia are 27,000 people supporting themselves (besides paying 
a tax to the Government of $400,000, or $1 per head for their reindeer) and i)ro- 
curing their food and clothing largely from their 400,000 domesticated reindeer. 
Also in the corresponding regions of Siberia, with similar climate, soil, and en- 
vironment (and only 40 miles distant at the straits), are thousands of Chukchees, 
Koraks, and other tribes fed and clothed by their tens of thousands of domesti- 
cated reindeer. 

During the summer I visited four settlements of natives on the Siberian coast, 
the two extremes being 700 miles apart, and saw much of the people, both of the 
Koraks and Chukchees. I found them a good-sized, robust, fleshy, well-fed, 
pagan, half-civilized, nomad people, living largely on their herds of I'eindeer. 
Families own from 1,000 to 10,000 deer. These are divided into herds of from 
1,000 to 1,500. One of these latter I visited on the beach near Cape Navarin. In 
Arctic Siberia the natives with their reindeer have plenty; in Arctic Alaska 
without the reindeer they are starving. 

Then instead of feeding and pauperizing them let us civilize, build up their 
manhood, and lift them into self-support by helping them to the reindeer. To 
stock Alaska with reindeer and make millions of acres of moss-covered tundra 
conducive to the wealth of the country, would be a great and worthy event 
under any circumstances. 

But just now it is specially important and urgent from the fact that the destruc- 
tion of the whale and walrus has brought large numbers of Eskimo face to face 
with starvation, and that something must be done promptly to save them. 

The introduction of the reindeer would ultimately atford them a steadj' and 
permanent food supply. 

INTRODUCTION' OF CHRISTIANITY. 

In the Tenth United States Census Report, on page 2, it is recorded: *' That 
no trace or shadow of Christianity and its teachings has found its way to these 
desolate regions; the dark night of Shamanism or Sorcery still hangs over the 
human mind. These people share with their Eastern kin a general belief in evil 



t 
1294 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

spirits and powers, against whom the Shaman alone can afford protection by sac- 
I'ifices and incantations. No philanthropic missionary has ever found his way 
to this Arctic coast, and unless some modern Hans Eg'ede makes his appearance 
among them in the near future there will be no soil left in which to plant the 
Christian seed." 

Such was the dark but true picture in 1880, but the dawn was near at hand. 
The needs of the Eskimos had long been upon my mind, and various plans for 
reaching them had been considered. In the spring of 1888, having an opportunity 
of visiting Bethlehem, Pa., I secured a conference with the late Edmund de 
fechweinitz, D. D., a bishop of the Moravian Church, and urged upon him the es- 
tablishment of a mission to the Eskimo of Alaska. A few days later the request 
was repeated in writing, which letter, on the 23d of August, 1883, was laid before 
the Moravian Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Heathen. The 
request was favorably considered, and Rev. A. Hartman and Mr. Wm. H. Wein- 
land were appointed a committee to visit Alaska and report on the advisability 
of commencing a mission. This tour of exploration was made in the summer of 
1884, and is given in my annual report for 1885-'86. Upon their return they rec- 
ommended the establishment of a mission on the Kuskokwim River, near the 
native village of Mumtreklagamute, 75 miles above the mouth of the stream. In 
the spring of 1885 Rev. and Mrs. Wm. H. Weinland, Rev. and Mrs. John H. Kil- 
buck, and Mr. Hans Torgersen were sent to the Kuskokwim River as the first 
missionaries to the Eskimo of Alaska. The present mission force consists of 
Rev. and Mrs. John H. Kilbuck, Rev. and Mrs. Ernst L.Webber, and Miss Lydia 
Lebus. In the summer of 1886 the Moravians sent out the Rev. Prank E. Wolff, 
who located a station and erected a mission station at the mouth of the Nushagak 
River. He then returned to the States for the winter. The mission was for- 
mally opened in the summer of 1887 with the arrival of Rev. and Mrs. F. E. Wolff 
and Miss Mary Huber. To the original number have since been added Rev. J. 
H. Schoechert and Miss Emma Huber. Both of these schools have been assisted 
by the United States Bui'eau of Education. 

On the 1st of July, 1886, an agreement was entered into between the Commis- 
sioner of Education and the Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
for the establishment of a school in the great Yukon Valley. Owing to the im- 
possibility of getting the supplies into that inaccessible region the school was 
maintained for 1886-'87 at St. Michael, on the coast, by Rev. and Mrs. Octavius 
Parker. 

In the summer of 1887 Rev. John H. Chapman was added to the mission and 
the station was removed to Anvik. The present force of teachers consists of 
Rev. John W. Chapman and Mr. Marcus O. Cherry. 

In 1886-'87 the Roman Catholics entered the Yukon Valley, and have estab- 
lished missions and schools at Nulato, Kosoriffsky, and Cape Vancouver. 

In 1886 the Evangelical Mission Union of Sweden established a station among 
the Eskim.os at Unalaklik with Rev. Axel E. Karlson, missionary. He is now as- 
sisted by Mr. August Anderson, and it is proposed that next year the school will 
be assisted by the United States Bureau of Education. 

The new stations among the Arctic Eskimos at Point Barrow, Point Hope, 
and Cape Prince of Wales, have already been mentioned. During the summer 
of 1890 I established three schools and missions in Arctic Alaska. One at Point 
Barrow, with Mr. Leander M. Stevenson, of Versailles, Ohio, in charge. This 
is, next to Upernavik, Greenland, the northernmost mission in the world. Its 
establishment was made possible through the liberality of Mrs. Elliott F. Shep- 
ard. Mr. Stevenson, who volunteered to go to that distant point, oi'ganize the 
mission and erect the necessary buildings, will return in the summer of 1892 to 
his family. A permanent missionary for that place is desired. He should be a 
young married man, and both his wife and himself should be of sound constitu- 
tion and good bodily health. They should be of a cheerful disposition, " handy " 
with various kinds of tools and work, ready in resources, and possess good prac- 
tical common sense. A consecrated Christian physician accustomed to evangel- 
ical work would be more useful than an ordained minister without the medical 
training. Applicants can address me at the United States Bureau of Education, 
Washington, D. C. They will not be expected to leave home until the spring 
of 1892. The Point Barrow Mission is under the auspices of the Presbyterian 
Board of Home Missions. 

The second school in the Arctic is at Point Hope, and is under the supervision 
of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The teacher is Mr. John B. Driggs, M. D. 
The third is at Cape Prince of Wales, Bering Straits, with Messrs. H. R. Thorn- 
ton and W. T. Lopp, teachers. It is under the control of the American Mission- 
ary Association of the Congregational Church, 



KDUf'ATlON IX ALASKA. 125:);") 

In the harbor at Unalaska, in Septojnber, 1890, lay at anchor the revenue cut- 
ters Bear &nd Hush. The Jhar was soon io return to the noi-thward and cruise 
around the Seal Islands ; the Bush to arrest two men accused of murder, and convey 
them to the United States district court at Sitka. As the Bush was to call in at 
the principal villag-es en route, and would afford me an opportunity of inspect- 
ing: the schools at Unga, Kadiak, Afognak, and Southeastern Alaska, Capt. W. 
C. Coulson kindly invited me to take passage with him. Accordingly on the 
Cth of September, I removed my quarters from the JJear to the Bush, taking 
with me the boys William and George Fi-edericks, and M. Healy Wolff. We 
were to have sailed at 3 p. m., on the 7th, but a southeast gale pi'evailing out- 
side, the captain concluded to remain at anchor. It was nearly a week before 
the storm abated and we got started. Aftt;r getting outside of the harbor the 
fog shut down so thick that the ship ran into the harbor of Akatan. This is a 
small village of 87 souls, 'M of whom are children, and greatly in need of a 
school. They live in the barabaras, or native sod houses. The Alaska Com- 
mercial Company have a small store at the place. The people are exceedingly 
poor ; their whole catch for the past summer was 19 sea otters. This represents 
the moneyed support of the whole village for 12 months. In addition to the 
clothing and su])plies which the otter skins procure them at the store, the bay 
yields them fish, which is their principal food. The next day we started out, 
but found the fog so dense that the ship again returned to anchorage. The sec- 
ond attempt was more successful, and we passed from Bering Sea into the North 
Pacific Ocean. Turning to the eastward, we steamed past the volcano of Shis- 
haldin, its beautiful toj) covex'ed with snow and its smoking crater alike hid in 
the clouds. On Sabbath we were abreast of Belkofski, at one time the richest 
village in Alaska. With the decline of the sea-otter trade its ]ieople are much 
impoverished. The population is about 250. This is one of the villages where 
a good school should be established as soon as the annual appropriation will jus- 
tify it. Our stay at this place was just long enough for the surgeon to go ashore 
and visit the sick. That night we dropped anchor An Coal Harbor. Monday 
morning found us at Pirate Cove, a cod-fishing station of Lynd & Hough, of San 
Francisco. It was understood that a Mr. Clark, accused of murder, was there 
waiting to give himself up. Not finding him at that place we passed on to Sand 
Point, another fishing station, and from thence to Unga, where he was found. 
At Ung-a I made a thoi'ough inspection of the school property and school sup- 
plies . The school was not in session, but a number of the children were brought 
together and examined. A meeting of the parents was also called and a general 
conference had with regard to school matters. Monday evening, with the pris- 
oner and two witnesses on board, we sailed for Kadiak, which we reached early 
Wednesday morning. In company with Mr. Roscoo, the teacher, an inspection 
was made of the new schoolhouse, and many educational matters discussed and 
considered. During the forenoon, a pilot having been secured, the captain 
steamed over to Afognak, in order that I might visit that school also. The 
school being in session, an opportunity was afforded of seeing the good work 
done at that village by Mr. Duff', the teacher* A comfortable school building 
and teacher's residence had been erected during the summer. Returning 1x) 
Kadiak, the evening was spent with friends. At Kadiak a Creole accused of 
assault with intent to kill was taken on board, to be conveyed to Sitka for trial. 
His victim was taken along for medical treatment and as a witness. 

Mr. M. L. Washburn, superintendent of the interests of the Alaska Commer- 
cial Company, gave me for the collection of tb.e Alaska Society of Natural His- 
tory an ancient Eskimo stone lamp that had been dug up on one of the islands. 
The traditions of the people are that 400 years ago their fathers came from Ber- 
ing Sea and settled Kadiak Island, whichthey found uninhabited. The Eskimo 
settlements of the North Pacific coast extend from Nuchek Island on the east 
to Mitrofania Island on the west. On the trails between two settlements are 
frequently found at the highest point two heaps of stones, from 50 to 70 feet 
apart. These heaps are from 4 to 6 feet high, and were many years in building. 
Their purpose is not known. Every passer-by was expected to add a stone to 
the heap, but the custom of late years seems to have fallen into disuse. 

There is a very pleasant custom connected with the stone heaps and stone 
lamp. A couple engaged to be married select a stone suitable for the manufac- 
ture of a lamp. This stone, with a flint chisel, is deposited at the foot of one of 
the stone heaps. Parties carrying loads or traveling from one city or another 
naturally sit down to rest at the stone heap at the top of the hill. Spying the 
stone, the traveler says to himself, "My hands may as well work while my feet 
rest. As some one worked my lamp, I will work for some one else.*' And pick- 
ing up the flint, with a song, he chisels away at the stone. When he is rested, 



1296 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

he lays down the stone and chisel and goes on hig way. Tne next traveler re- 
peats the operation, and the next, and the next, until in about two years the 
lamp is done which will last hundreds of years. Thus the whole community 
shows its good will to the young" couple. In these lamps they burn seal oil, with 
a cotton wick. If the cotton can not be procured, then the wick is a bit of moss. 
In former days, as soon as one lamp was finished and removed, another stone 
was placed there, so that one was always in process of making. These lamps 
furnish both lig-ht and heat. 

Early Thursday morning, September 17, the captain weighed anchor and put 
out to sea. bound for Sitka. During the day the wind increased to a gale, and on 
Friday night the sea was so rough that the ship was hove to, and oil was strained 
over the bows into the sea to lessen the force of the waves. Nearly the entire 
trip of a week across to Sitka was in the face of a heavy equinoctial storm. It 
was so rough that several times the table could not be set in the captain's cabin, 
and we took our meals in our hands in the pilot house as best we could. Off 
Mount Edgecombe, the ship was again compelled to heave to. However, we 
finally reached the quiet harbor of Sitka on Thursday, September 25, and the 
rough part of our journey was over. The remainder of our journey was made in 
the smooth waters of the Alexandrian Archipelago. 

I remained two weeks at Sitka, attending to school matters. Then being 
joined there by the Hon. James Sheakley, superintendent of schools in the Sitka 
district, we made a tour of inspection through southeastern Alaska, visiting, 
either separately or together, every school in that district, except those at Met- 
lakahtla and Klawack. 

At Chilkat a location was selected and arrangements comijleted for the erec- 
tion of a cheap but substantial log schoolhouse. On November 11 I reached 
Washington, after an absence of seven months, having traveled 17,825 miles. 

The success of the long trip was greatly promoted by the many facilities that 
were extended by Capt. Michael A. Healy, of the steamer Bear, and Capt. W. 
C. Coulson, of the steamer Bush, with whom I sailed, also of the several officers 
of their command. 

NEW OFFICERS. 

In accordance with the provisions of the rules approved by the Secretary of 
the I*nterior April 9, 1S90, the following persons have been appointed to com- 
mence service on July 1, 1890 : 

The members of the school committees will continue in office until June 30 of 
the year set against their names. 

Assistant agent, William Hamilton ; superintendent for Sitka district, Hon. 
James Sheakley. 

LOCAL, SCHOOL COMMITTEES. 

Sitka.— Edward Be Groff, 1892 : N. K. Peckinpaugh, 1893 ; John C. Brady, 1894. 

Juneau— Karl Koehler, 1892; John G. Held, 1893; Eugene S. Willard, 1894. 

Douglas.— 'P. H. Fox, 1892; G. E. Shotter, 1893; S. R. Moon, 1894. 

Fort Wrangel.—'W\\\\&-m. G. Thomas, 1892 : William Millmore, 1893 ; Allan 
Mackay, 1894. 

Jac/csOTC.— James W. Young, 1892: W. Donald McLeod, 1893; G. Loomis 
Gould, 1894. 

MetlaTiolitla.—'Dz.wid J. Leask, 1892 : Dr. W. Bluett, 1893 ; William Duncan, 
1894. 

Kadiak. — Nicolai Kashavaroff , 1892 ; Henry Bowen, 1893 : Charles Brown, 1894. 

Urjfira.— Nehemiah Guttridge, 1892; John Caton,1893; Edward Cashel, 1894. 

Unalaska. — N. S. Reesofl, 1892 ; Nat. B. Anthony, 1893 ; Rudolph Neumann, 

VISITORS. 

Of late years tourists have commenced to learn of the attractiveness of the 
trip from Puget Sound to southeastern Alaska, and increasing numbers from 
year to year ai'e availing themselves of it. This season over 5,000 round-trip 
tickets have been sold. As the steamer fai^e from Puget Sound up and return 
is $100, only the wealthier and better classes make the trip. 

It is a cause for regret that the tourist season occurs during the vacation of 
the schools. If the tourists could see the schools in actual operation it would 
greatly assist in creating a healthy public sentiment that would react in favor 
of larger appropriations by Congress. As it is, the industrial school at Sitka, 
which is in continuous operation, is the only one visited. This, however, shows 
what can be done, and is an object lesson that will not be forgotten by tourists. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1297 

One of them, aftv^r describing her visit to the homes oi the natives and the sick- 
ening lilth and squalor which she witnessed in Alaska, writes : 

"And now, quito by accident, I had the most interesting experience of my 
whole trip, certainly one tliat has made an everlasting impression on my mind; 
au object lesson which often and oftiui will set me thinking, a subject whicli 
would require a volume to do it approximate justice. The joyous shouting of 
half a hundred boys, some of them dashing across the road in pursuit of a foot- 
ball : well-clothed, well-fed boys ; healthy, vigorous, intelligent boys ; Indians, 
half-breeds. Muscovites, and a few Americans. What did it mean? From 
whence had they so suddenly come '? From school. These were the beneficiaries 
of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, and the large building on the right 
of the road is the schoolhouse. 

"Of course I had r^ad about this mission. All the books on Alaska refer to it 
more or lesrs. Yet the knowledge of its existence had brought no special desire 
to visit the place. To me Sitka was the vestige of a departed empire; the home 
of a decaying race of aborigines; a depot for the sale of Russi-Indian relics 
and curios; a pretty little town timidly hiding away in among the mountains, 
and for that 1 had come to sea it and had been amply repaid. But the mission I 
had never thought of. Perhaps the book-writer had failed to attract me to it; 
perhaps my faith in missions generally was not very confirmed; perhaps I did 
not believe what I read about them. Be that as it may, hei'eafter no man, nor 
woman either, shall outdo me in words of praise and thanks for the glorious, 
godlike work which is being performed by the good people who are rescuing 
the lives, the bodies, and the souls of these poor creatures from the physical 
and moral deaths they are dying. I am not a Christian woman; my faith is that 
of a chosen peoxjle who were led out of Egyptian tyranny and darkness by the 
pillar of fire and the pillar of cloud ; but my whole nature is in accord with these 
Christian men and women, whose immolation and sacrifices to regenerate their 
fellow-creatures will surely meet with heavenly reward, no matter what their 
creed. I wish I had had more time at my disposal to spend with the teachers 
and the scholars, so that I might now give even a skeleton outline of their daily 
life. 

"There are about 100 boys and 50 girls in the institution, some of them being 
only 3 years of age and others as old as 22. The boys are instructed in carpen- 
try, shoemaking, and blacksmithing ; the girls are taught dressmaking and the 
use of the sewing machine. I went first into one of the class rooms, where I saw 
perhaps 20 dark-skinned Siwash Indian boys, whose Mongolian faces and almond- 
shaped eyes had assumed an expression of intelligence so different from the 
stujiid, blear-eyed appearance of the same age and race whom I had seen in the 
rancherie that it was difficult to realize that they could possibly be twigs of the 
same tree. Upstairs we found the dormitories, "like evei^ything else about the 
establishment, orderly, neat, clean, due regard being paid to the number al- 
lotted to each room and to the subject of heating and ventilation. In the sew- 
ing department were several girls operating skillfully upon the sewing machine, 
others cutting from the piece, and younger ones basting for the sewing girls. 

"It is said somewhere that it is only a single step from civilization to bar- 
barism. Perhaps so ; but I, and those ladies and gentlemen who accompanied 
me through the rancherie and the schools at Sitka, can vouch for the fact that 
it is only half a mile from savage, uncivilized ignorance, superstitution, filth, 
and immoi-ality to education, deportment, thrift, domestic felicity, and all 
human happiness." 

NEW BOOKS. 

The growtk of the public interest in Alaska is manifested by the number of 
books which are issuing from the press. 

Since the list given in my report for June 30, 1888, the following books have 
come under my observation : 

" Fifth Avenue to Alaska," by Edwards Pierrepont, B. A. Published by G. P. 
Putnam's Sons. New York. 1884. Maps and illustrations. 329 pages. Price, 
$1.75. 

"Letters from Alaska," by Horace Briggs, PH. D. Published by Mrs. Dora B. 
North. olParkPlace, Buffalo, N. Y., 1889. 87 pages. Paper cover. Price, $1. 

"Cruise of the Bush, 1889," by Isabel S. Shepard. Published by The Ban- 
croftCompany, San Francisco, 1889. Maps and illustrations. 257 pages. Price, 
$1.50. 

"Picturesque Alaska," by Abby Johnson Woodman. Introduction by Whit- 
tier. Published by Houghton, Mifllin & Co., Boston. Maps and illustrations. 
212 pages. Price, $1.50. 



1298 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

"New Eldorado, "by Mr. M. Ballou. Published by Houghton. Mifflin & Co., 
Boston, 1889. Price, $1.50. 

" The Wonders of Alaska," by Alexander Badlam. Published by the Ban- 
croft Publishing Company, San Francisco, 1890. Maps and illustrations. 151 
pages. Price, $1.50. 

"Pacific Coast Scenic Tour," by Henry T. Pinck. Maps and illustrations. 
Published by Charles Scribner'sSons, New York, 1890. 309 pages. 

"A Woman's Trip to Alaska," by Mrs. Septima M. Collis. Published by The 
Cassel Publishing Company, New York, 1890. Maps and illustrations. Heavy 
paper. 194 pages. Price, $2.50. 

"Arctic Alaska and Siberia," by Herbert L. Aldrich. Maps and illustrations. 
Published by Rand, McNally & Co., Chicago, 1889. 234 pages. Price, $1.50. 

"Thirteen Years of Travel and Exploration in Alaska," by W. H.Pierce. 
Published by J. H. Carruth, No. 1312 Ohio street, Lawrence, Kans., 1890. 
224 pages, illustrated. Paper, 60 cents. Cloth, $1. 

"Prom Yellowstone Park to Alaska," by Francis C. Sessions, president of the- 
Ohio Historical and Archseological Society. Published by Welch, Fracker & 
Co., New York, 1890. 186 pages. Price $1.50. 

" Reconnoisance in Alaska, 1885," by Lieut. Henry T. Allen, U. S. A. Maps 
and illustrations. 172 pages. Government Printing Office, Washington, 1877. 

■•Contributions to Natural History of Alaska," by L. M. Turner. 1866. 226 
pages. Illustrated. Government Printing Oftlce. Washington, 1886. 

"Report on Natural History Collections made in Alaska, 1877-'81," by E. W. 
Nelson. Illustrated. 337 pages. Government Printing Office. Washington, 
1887. 

" Fur Seal and other Fisheries of Alaska." Maps and illustrations. 324 pages. 
Government Printing Office. Washington, 18S9. 

"The Coast Indians of Southern Alaska," by Ensign Albert P. Niblack, IT. S. 
Navy. Maps and illustrations. 158 pages. Published by the Smithsonian In- 
stitution, National Museum. Government Printing Office. Washington, 1890. 

"Cruise of the Revenue Marine Steamer Corwin in the Arctic Ocean, 1884." 
Maps and illustrations. 128 pages. Government Printing Office. Washington, 
1889. 

"Cruise of the Revenue Marine Steamer Corwin in the Arctic Ocean, 1885." 
Maps and illustrations. 202 pages. Government Printing Office. Washington, 
1887. 

"Bean's Report on the Salmon Fisheries of Alaska." Maps and illustrations. 
Government Printing Office. Washington, 1890. 

From Yellowstone Park to Alaska, by Francis C. Sessions. 8vo. 196 pages. 
Illustrated. Published by Welch, Fracker & Co. New York, 1890. 

"California and Alaska, "by William S. Webb, M. D. Quarto, 190 pages. Vel- 
lum paper. Illustrations, India proof etchings, and photogravures. Price, $25 ; 
popular edition of the same, $2.50. Published by G. P. Putnam's Sons. New 
York, 1891. 

"Alaskana. T^e Legends of Alaska," in verse, by Prof. Bushrod W. James. 
Illustrated. 368 pages. Published by Porter & Coates. Philadelphia, 1892. 
Price, $2. 

" Kin-da-Shon's Wife. A Story of Native Customs Among the Chilkats of 
Alaska," by Mrs. Eugene S. Willai^d. Illustrated. 281 pages. Published by 
Fleming H. Revell. New York and Chicago. 

Recommendations. 

The three most urgent needs of education in Alaska at present are: 

FIRST— LARGER APPROPRIATIONS. 

Fifty thousand dollars is a sum Avholiy inadequate for the establishing and main- 
taining of good schools for the 10,000 children of Alaska. The utmost care ia 
taken to make it go as far as possible, and yet a number of communities are ask- 
ing for schools, which cannot be granted because of the insufficiency of the ap- 
propriation. I would most respectfully recommend that an appropriation of 
$75,000 be asked for the coming year. 

The efficiency of the school service would be greatly increased if a permanent 
appropriation could be made for a term of five years, which would increase in 
regular amounts up to $100,000. This would enable the Bureau of Education to 
keep pace with the steady growth of the work. It would also enable the Com- 
missioner of EdueatioiTto more wisely plan his work. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1299 

The appropriation for education in Alaska is placed in the sundry civil bill. 
Every alternate year during the lonj? session of Congress this bill is not enacted 
into law before July, August, or September. But the last vessel for the year that 
communicates with the teachers in northwestern Alaska leaves San Francisco 
about the 1st of June. Consequently the Commissioner of Education can not ap- 
point teachers for that section until ten or twelve months of the school year have 
expired. Or, in other words, the teachers are compelled to teach the entire 
school year without knowing whether any appropriation has bjen made to pay 
them. This is an injustice to the Commissioner of Education and to the teachers. 

SECOND— OBLIGATORY ATTENDANCE. 

There is no one subject connected with the Alaska schools that teachers, su- 
perintendents, "committeemen, and citizens are moi^e united upon than that the 
highest interests of the children and, the schools require that there should be 
some authoritative regulations that will secure the more regular attendance of 
the native children. Attention has been called to this in every annual report. 

Mr. John H. Keatley, ex-judge of the United States district court of Alaska 
and ex-member of the Territorial board of education for Alaska, in an article 
in the Atlantic Monthly for August, 1890, on " The Race Problem in Alaska,"' 
says : 

•'The natives of Alaska realize that everything is changing about them, and 
are anxious to pattern after the whites in better dwellings, more comfortable 
clothing, and a greater diversity of food, but they fail to realize yet the im- 
portance of education. The adults are serious obstacles to the education of the 
children, and no radical change is possible until attendance at the Government 
schools is compulsory. It is not enough to provide schools and teachers at the 
public expense, but Congress must go further and authorize the employment of 
Indian policemen at every village to compel the attendance of the children. 

"Some of the native schools have an enrollment of 60 pupils,^ with an average 
daily attendance of 10. This is due to the total lack of means of enforcing at- 
tendance. The race problem presented in the subject of their education and 
possible participation in the political affairs of the country is of too serious a 
character to be thus ignored by those who are now responsible for their future 
development." 

THIRD— AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 

Passing from northern Alaska, with its adaptation to reindeer-raising, we find 
the whole southern coast, stretching for thousands of miles, to possess a tem- 
perate climate. This is due to tl^e " Kuro-siwo" or S' Japan Current " of the 
Pacific Ocean. In this ' ' temperate belt " it is probable that there are areas of 
greater or less extent that are adapted to agriculture. At least it is known that 
there are small farms or vegetable gardens on Kadiak and Afognak Islands, on 
the shores of Cook's Inlet, and in southeastern Alaska. It is also known that 
wild berries grow in great profusion and abundance in many sections. But no 
intelligent and continued experiments have been made to test the agricultural 
and horticultural capabilities of the country. 

Until a quite recent period (1867) the European population were fur-trading 
Russians. They were followed by fur-trading Amei-icans, and more recently by 
the gold-seekers. No one expected to remain long in the country, and there 
has been no incentive to carry forward intelligent experiments in agriculture. 

As early as my first report to the Commissioner of Education (1885) I called 
attention to the fact that there was a very wide diversity of views concerning 
the agricultural and horticultural capabilities of Alaska, and necessarily very 
great ignorance; that no systematic effort intelligently prosecuted had ever 
been made to ascertain what could or what could not be raised to advantage; 
that it was of very great importance, both to the people of Alaska and the coun- 
try at large, that careful experiments should be made, extending over a term 
of years, to ascertain the vegetables, grains, grasses, berries, apples, plums, 
trees, flowers, etc., best adapted to the country; the best methods of cultivating, 
gathering, and curing the same; the planting and grafting of fruit trees ; the 
development of the wild cranberry; cattle, hog, and poulti-y raising ; butter and 
cheese-making, etc. In 1886 my recommendation was taken up by the U. S. 
Commissioner of Agriculture, who, in his annual report for that year (page 20) 
says: " Something in the line of experimental woi'k might also be undertaken 

iThls l3 true of a few, not of many schools. 



1300 EDUCATION REPORT, 1889-90. 

in Alaska, possibly with profit. It is well known that the Department of the 
Interior has established an agency for the promotion of education in that terri- 
tory." 

"It has been suggested that a line of experiments, to be undertaken by this 
Department, would easily prove whatever of agricultural and horticultural ca- 
pability may exist in the Territory. No careful attention seems to have been 
given there, as yet, to this branch of industry, and the resources of the coun- 
try are quite unknown and undeveloped. 

" The industrial training school at Sitka would furnish an admirable basis 
for a station, where could be conducted careful experiments to ascertain the 
agricultural products best adapted to the climate and soil of the Territory, and 
what breeds of cattle and other domestic animals are most suited to its climate 
and soil. 

" Such an experiment ought to extend over a series of years, and the result 
would amply repay any expenditure that Congress may choose to make in this 
direction." 

In view, therefore, of the national importance of introducing the domesti- 
cated reindeer of Siberia into northern Alaska, and testing the agricultural 
capacity of southern Alaska, I most earnestly recommend that you secure the 
establishment of an " agricultural school and experiment station" in connec- 
tion with the system of industrial education in Alaska. 

By an act approved July 2, 1862, Congress made provision for schools for the 
" benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts." By an act approved March 2, 
1887, provision was made for " agricultui'al experiment stations " in connection 
with the agricultural schools. And by the act approved August 30, 1890, cer- 
tain of the proceeds of the sale of public lands were set aside for the better sup- 
port of these agricultui'al schools. 

These acts of Congress require the assent of the legislature of the State or 
Territory in order that their provisions may become available. 

But Alaska has no legislature, and is governed directly by Congress. On this 
account, and partly because nineteen-twentieths of the children to be benefited 
belong to the native races. Congress has committed to the Secretary of the In- 
t,erior the duty of making ''needful and proper provision for education in Alaska." 

would therefore recommend that an application be made to Congress to direct 
-■-he Secretary of the Interior to extend to Alaska the benefits of the agricultural 
*acts of 1887 and 1890, and secure the establishment of a school that can introduce 
reindeer into that region, and teach their management, cai'e, and propagation, 
and also to conduct a series of experiments to determine the agricultural capa- 
bilities of the country. 

To reclaim and make valuable vast areas of land otherwise worthless ; to in- 
troduce large, permanent, and wealth-producing industries where none pre- 
viously existed ; to take a barbarian people on the verge of starvation and lift 
them up to a comfortable self-support and civilization, is certainly a work of 
national importance. 

In the closing year of the existence of the Territorial board of education thu 
fullowing rules were enacted, viz : 

First. Prom and after this date (October 27, 1888), corporal punishment in the 
public schools of Alaska is entirely and wholly prohibited. 

Second. All religious services are prohibited in all the public schools of Alaska 
exceptHowkan Klawack,Metlakahtla, Fort Wrangell, Jun.sauNo. 2, and Haines. 

The above rules wei-e carried by the deciding vote of the chairman. If Mr. 
Duncan, the absent member of the board had been present, they could not have 
been passed. 

With the reorganization of the Alaska school system on April 9, 1890, the 
above rules were rescinded, and both school punishments and religious exercises 
left discretionary with the teacher and the local school committee. 

To still further popularize the schools and create in the several communities 
a feeling of responsibility for the conduct of the schools and a personal interest 
in their success, I would recommend that in the villages containing a number of 
white people, such asJuneau, Sitka, and Douglas, the voters be allowed to elect 
their local school committee, and said committee be authorized to select teach- 
ers of the white schools, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Educa- 
tion. 

I remain with great respect, yours, truly, ' 

Sheldon Jackson, 
General Agent of Education for Alaska. 

Hon. W. T. Harris, LL. D., 

Commissioner of Education. 

O 



[ Whole Xmnhtr 203 

U. S. BUREAU OF EDUCATION. 

REPKINT OF CHAPTER XXV OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER 
OF EDUCATION FOR 1890-91 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA 



1890-91. 



SHELDON JACKSON, T>. D. 

GENERAL AGENT. 



WASHINGTOIT: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1893. 



CHAPTER XXY. 

REPOET ON EDUCATIOi^ IN ALASKA. 



By Kev. Sheldon Jackson, General Agent of Education for Alaslca. 



Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Education, Alaska DnisiON, 

Washington, D. C, June 30, 1891. 
Sir: In compliance witli the requirements of the office I have the honor of sub- 
mitting the following annual report of the general agent of education, for the year 
ending June 30, 1891 : 

NUMBER AND GENERAL CONDITION OP THE SCHOOLS OF ALASKA. 

There is in Alaska a school population of from 8,000 to 10,000. Of these 1,847 
were enrolled in the 31 schools in operation during the year closing June 30, 1891. 
Thirteen day schools, with an enrollment of 745 jjupils, were sujiported entirely by 
the Government at an expense of $20,639.39, and 12 contract schools, with an en- 
rollment of 1,102, wore supported jointly by the Goveruuieut and the missionary 
societies of the Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregational, Episcopal, Moravian, Lu- 
theran, and Roman Catholic churches. Of the pniiils in the contract schools, 810 
were day pupils and 292 industrial pupils. These latter were clothed, housed, fed, 
and taught. 

The boys were taught shoemaking, house-building, furiiiture-malving, coopering, 
baking, gardening, and the care of cattle; the girls were taught cooking, baking, 
washing, ironing, sewing, dressmaking, and housekeeping. 

Towards the support of these contract schools the Government contributed 
$29,300.61, and the missionary societies $74,434.29. 

Unalaska District. 

public schools. 

Owing to the inaccessibility of the schools in this district, only having communi- 
cation with the outside world and a mail once a year, and the cousequeut difficulty 
of supervision, no public schools have been established except on tlie island of Unga. 
But wherever it was desii'ed to locate a school arrangements were made with the 
leading missionary societies of the country to share with the Government in the 
responsibility and expense. These schools are called "contract schools." 

923 



924 EDUCATION REBOET, 1890-91. 

CONTRACT SCHOOLS. 

In the spring of 1890 1 made a call' through the newspapers for volunteer teachers 
to go to the barbarous Eskimo of Arctic Alaska, which resulted in the following 
persons offering themselves: Messrs. L. M. Stevenson and P. N. Killbreath, Mr. and 
Mrs. James K. Eeeve, and Misses H. L. Harv\ cod and Martha McQuarll, of Ohio; Mr. 
and Mrs. James F. McKce, Mr. E. M. Calvin, and Miss Ella Blair, all of Pennsylvania; 
Misses Ella Dudley and Martha L. Taylor, of Missouri; Mr. and Mrs. Warren Norton, 
of Tennessee ; Kev. and Mrs. S. H. King, of Minnesota ; Mrs. Rebecca Wilklow, of Illi- 
nois; W. T. Lopp, of Indiana; H.E.Thornton, of Virginia; George Drenford, m. c, 
of District of (Jolumbia; and Thomas H. Hang, of South Dakota. Of the above, 
Messrs. Stevenson, Lopp, and Thornton were selected. 

Point Barrow, Presbyterian; population, Eskimo; L. M. Stevenson, teacher: This 
is the northernmost school in America and, with the possible exception of Uper- 
navik, Greenland, the most northern in the world. Mr. Stevenson arrived at his 
station on the .30th of July, 1890, on board a whaler. The next day I reached the 
place on board the U. S. Eevenue Cutter Hear, and at once began making arrange- 
ments with Mr Stevenson for the establishment of the school. Having been unal)le 
to secure transportation for the necessary buildings from San Francisco, I procui'ed, 
through the courtesy of Capt. M. A. Healy, commander of the Bear, the use of the 
rear room of the Government J^efuge Station for the school. On the 6th of October, 
1890, Mr. Stevenson opened school with 3 pupils. By the end of the month 15 were 
in attendance, and the number continued to increase until 38 were enrolled. 

The school was begun under adverse circumstances, but a beginning had to be 
made. Five men from a stranded schooner were (j^uartered in the room used as a 
schoolroom, and the teacher held them subject to the rules of the school for conduct, 
and required them to set the example of order, thus using them as a means of assist- 
ance in the government of the school. None of the pupils had any knowledge of the 
English language, speaking only their native lingo, consisting of heterogeneous 
sounds, produced something after the ventriloquist method of using the vocal chord, 
the other organs of speech not being permitted to participate in the production of 
sound. Those who came to school seemed to manifest a great desire to learn, and 
the acquisition of making "i>af)er talk" Avas like the entrance to fairy land. They 
made rapid progress, being able to spell and pronounce all the words on the chart 
lesson by the end of the second week. 

Nearly all the pupils, after the first day or two, manifested a strong desire to learn, 
and in this they were both patient and persevering, repeating the same word many 
times in trying to acquire a correct pronunciation. At first they were shy and 
feared to make a start, but after one or two letters were memorized, so that they 
could form a short word, they were proud of the acquisition, and upon the snow, the 
frost, anywhere where they could make an impression, the words were traced. 

Mr. Stevenson reports it very interesting to see their black eyes flash and their dusky 

1 Washington, D. C, March 13, 1S90. 

TEACHERS WANTED FOB CONTRACT SCHOOLS AMONG THE ESKIMOS OF ARCTIC ALASKA. 

All unexpected opportunity oflers for the establishment of a contract mission school among the Eski- 
mos at Point Barrow, and also at Cape Prince of Wales. 

Point Barrow is the northernmost point of the mainland of the continent. 

It has a permanent population of about 500 Eskimos. Last summer the Government erected at that 
point a refuge station for shipwrecked whalers. During the summer there are 1,5U0 to 2,000 sailors 
of the whaling fleet in the vicinity. This season 20 of these men are wiii'ering there. 

Cape Prince of Wales, at Berings Strait, is the westernmost point of the mainland of the continent. 
It has a permanent population of about 300 Eskimos with no white men. 

During the summer sea.son hundreds of the nomad Eskimos of the interior visit these points for the 
purpose of trade. The coming of these strangers greatly increases the influence and importance of the 
■work at the station. 

At each of these stations it is proposed to erect a comfortable one-story frame building, containing 
a schoolroom in one end and a teachers' residence in the other. 

The schools are to be taught in English. As the people have never had schools and know no Eng- 
lish, the schools will, for a long time to come, be iu the primary grade. 

There is no communication with the outside world except once a year, ships arriving and departing 
in midsummer. 

For the first year at Cape Prince of Wales it is advisable that a male teacher go without his family. 

At Point Barrow the teacher should be a married man without children, and can take his wife with 
him. 

The teachers should be of good sound health, and from 28 to 40 years of age. 

The teachers should be prepared to remain at least two years. 

As they wdll need to leave home next May, prompt .a(;tion will be required. The work being both 
educational and missionary, applicants will send not only certificates as to their aptness as teachers 
but also testimonials Irom their pastor or others as to their Christian activity. 

The rigors of the arctic winter, and the self-denial and patience required in dealing with the natives 
demands a missionary spirit in the teachers. None other will succeed or bo willing to remain there, 
even if sent. 

Address .all applications, with accompanying papers, to Kev. Sheldon Jackson, 1025 Kiath street 
NW., Washington, D. C. . 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 925 

countenances brijjbten as tlioy learned a new word or a new combination of fi^jnres. 
They seem to pride themselves on knowinj;- English, bnt manifest little desire to 
speak it, as that wouhl bo breaking off from their traditions, and their Im-ut-koots 
(doctors) wonbl b't the evil one take full possession of tliem for thus abandoning the 
style of former days. 

The attendance for the most part Avas very irregular, owing to the trips that had 
to be made out to the caches ' where the deer were stored, and which they brought in, 
as required, for food, as well as to the catcliing of seals i'or both food and fuel. 

After the age of 4 is reached, no parent is able to tell the ago of liis children, and 
they are not ])()sitively certain beyond 3 years, so that the classilication by ages in 
school is mere guess work. Knowledge of the past is summed up in the single word 
"I-pan-ee," which maybe yesterday or ten thousand years ago, or any indefinite 
period. 

Five seems to be the l)asis and almost the extent of their mathematical compre- 
hension, and beyond the limit of 15 the best of them become confused, and cut oft' 
further count by a single word, Am-a-lok-tuk, which may be anything from 1 up- 
wards. It seems to mean plenty. If there is enough for the present meal it is Aia- 
a-lok-tuk. 

The hindrances to the work are many. The association of the natives with white 
men have not been ennobling, but, on the contrary, debasing, the products of which 
are fornication, adultery, disease, and death. Another hindrance is the lack of 
livelihood. The natives are under the necessity of hunting and wlialing, and these 
two occupations keep them busy nearly the entire year, and away from the village 
the greater part of the time, sometimes scattered many miles over tlie (country bunt- 
ing and fishing, or over the ice catching seals, whales, bears, and walrus. The 
deer furnishes food and clothing, the walrus boot soles and skins for canoes, the seal 
food, ilour, and clothing, the whale food, dour, and bone for trade. 

The coldest weather reported was 494^^ below zero. The long, dark (for the night 
extends from November 19 to January 2.3) Arctic winter wore away until April 14, 
when the report of "whales seen in the lead"- set every one wild with excitement, 
nearly breaking up the school. All the pupils large enough left immediately to 
hunt whales, and a few weeks later the remaining boys and girls left to drive the 
dog teams that were transporting the wluilebone and meat to the village from the 
edge of the ice, from 12 to 20 miles out to sea. 

In the spring of 1891 a schooner was chartered at San Francisco and loaded with 
lumber and materials for a school building and teacher's residence at Point Barrow; 
but the great Arctic ice pack not leaving the shore in time, the vessel was unable 
to reach the place, and the school has been compelled to remain another year in the 
Refuge Station. 

Point Hope, Episcopal; population, Eskimo; John B. Driggs, M. D., teacher: Dr. 
Driggs reports the population of the village as unusually small, the scarcity of 
food during the preceding winter having scattered them along the coast in more 
favored villages for hundreds of miles. In taking a census of the population in 
April he found only 161, being one-half the usual population. Out of that number, 
however, he had 68 pupils. Six of these were compelled to drop out in order to pro- 
vide food for their families. The others attended through the winter with great 
regularity. Three of the pupils died during the season, one being carried off on the 
ice and never heard from, probablj^ being frozen to death and eaten by the bears ; 
another was frozen to death, and a third died from hemorrhage. 

The school was opened on the 1st of October. The day brought with it a blizzard 
and snow storm that lasted for nine days. During the luorning the teacher occupied 
the schoolroom alone, but as time wore on and no pupils came he put on his furs and 
started for the village to hunt up the children. Upon goiug outside the house he 
found a boy walking the beach. Taking him into the schoolroom, he commenced 
school. At the close of the afternoon he presented his pupil with a couple of pan 
cakes left from his own breakfast. The effect was tjiiual to any reward of merit. 
That boy proved one of the most regular in attendance during the entire winter season. 
The next morning 4 presented themselves, and from that tlie school grew to 68. A 
mixture of dour, molasses, and water made a sort of cake, a little of which was given 
to the pupils each evening, i)roving not only a very cheap and efficient method of 
securing regular attendance, but also discipline, as they had to be both present and 
perfect in their dej^ortnient and recitations to be entitled to cake. The scholars 
usually arrived from 6 to 7 in the morning and remained all day. Owing, perhaps, 
to their long-continued diet of frozen meat and snow eatiug, tln-y had constantly to 
be excused to run out doors and get more snow, as the teacher found it impossible 
to melt water fast enough on his stove to keep them in drink. The sun disai)peared 
on the 10th of December and returned on the 3d of January, giving them a night of 
twenty-four days. Lanij^s were required in the schoolroom from November 12 to Feb- 

'A hiding place for storiiin- food. 
''An open chanucl iu tlie ice. 



926 EDUCATION REPORT, 1890-91. 

ruary 9. The thermometer varied in the coldest weather from 27° to 31° helow zero, the 
average of the winter being probably about 15° below zero. During February and a 
portion of March a series of blizzards set in that were beyond description. The ice 
was solid across the ocean to Cape Prince of Wales, 200 miles distant. The efl'ect 
of the gales was such that at times it seemed as if the schoolhouse nmst be blown 
away. Snow flew in perfect sheets. The schoolhouse was located 2 miles Irom the 
village, and yet, notwithstanding the storms and distance, the attendance was good. 
For a few days the teacher hired men to see the little ones safely home through the 
storm (the 2 miles distance), but soou found that the precaution was unnecessary; 
that they were accustomed to take care of themselves. Not being used to any seats 
or chairs at home, the children found it very hard to sit on benches, and greatly 
preferred to occupy the floor, so that, looking over the schoolroom in writing time, 
a little girl could be seen on her knees and elbows writing in one place, and in another 
a boy lying with his face downward on the floor, also writing, and so through the 
room every imaginable ]iosition could be seen. If beginners made a mistake they 
tried to rectify it by scratching with their finger nails. They readily learned the 
alphabet and made some progress in reading, singing, and writing, the teacher being 
very much encouraged with his school. 

Cape Prince of Wales; American Missionary Association (Congregational) ; popu- 
lation, Eskimo ; Messrs. W. T. Lopp and H. R. Thornton, teachers : .School was opened 
on the 18th of August, 1890, with only about one-fourth of the population returned to 
the village from their summer's hunt. 

The school being established among a wild people, that had never known any re- 
straints, that conld not comprehend the purposes of the teachers in coming to them, 
and could not understand their language, through misapprehension there was a good 
deal of trouble at first. On the 19th of September, Elignak, one of the wealthiest 
men of the village, aiid one of his wives, both in ai state of beastly intoxication, 
tried to force their way into the house. On the 23rd of September some of the stu- 
dents became so boisterous and unruly in the schoolroom that they also had to be 
excluded from the house. And again, in November, drunken parties tried to break 
in and make a disturbance, so that, for two months, the teachers taught, ate, 
worked, and slept with loaded arms at hand, not knowing at what moment they 
might have to defend the property committed to them, and their lives, their minds 
constantly harassed with questions as to when resistance should begin and how far 
it would be justifiable, debating in their own minds whether it would be better to 
allow themselves to be robbed or murdered without resistance, or through resistance 
make the savages respect their manhood. 

The danger to the station was greatly increased by an ejiidemic of the grip, which 
carried away 26 people in two months, which was by the superstitions of the people 
attributed to the presence of the white men among them. However, through tact 
and good management and the providence of God hostilities were prevented, and by 
January the strained situation was greatly relieved. Mutual confidence sprang up 
between the natives and the teachers. Having heard, beibre going to the place, of 
the bad reputation of the people (which, however, it was found they did not de- 
serve), and feeling that a people who knew nothing of schools would not endure for 
any length of time the restraints of a schoolroom, and the cost of building being 
very great (all lumber and material being sent from San Francisco, between 3,000 
and 4,000 miles), the schoolhouse was built, to commence with, on a small scale (a 
room that would hold about 50 pupils), and it was thought that if 50 pupils could 
be obtained among such a ]ieople, under such circumstances, it would be a very great 
success. But to the astonishment of the teachers themselves and to the astonishment 
of the friends of education that are interested in these Arctic schools, it was found 
that the total enrollment for the first year was 304 pupils out of a population of 539 
people. The average daily attendance for the last seven months of the school was 
146 and the average daily attendance for the whole session of nine mouths was 105. 
As the schoolroom wouhl hold only about 50 at a time, the teachers were compelled 
to divide the pupils into three classes and hold morning, afternoon, and evening ses- 
sions of school. And then, to prevent the children who belonged to the afternoon or 
evening school from smuggling themselves into the morning session, or the morning 
children from remaining to the afternoon or evening session, it was found necessary 
to build two parallel snow walls some distance from the schoolroom door, and when 
the bell stopj^cd ringing for school the teachei's ranged themselves oia either side, in 
order to sift the children that were trying to get into the schoolroom. It was with 
great difficulty that the pu]nls were nuule to understand that it was not proper to 
talk and laugh and jump over the benches in the schoolroom during school as much 
as they pleased ; nor could they understand why 30 or 40 visitors could not lounge 
about the room which was needed for those who desired to study ; so that upon sev- 
eral occasions it l>ecame necessary to exclude certain parties from the schoolroom, 
but this exclusion of a few days was all that was necessary. It was considered a 
great punishment not to be able to come to school. During the epidemic a number 




o < 
J LU 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



927 



of sl.atofl of tho children that they had been allowed to take home at nifjht were re- 
turned by order of tho inediciuo men, who ascribed that much of the sickness was 
due to the slates and the iiictures which the children made tipon them — they were 
"bad medicine." 

The teachers began their school work by learning the Eskimo names of the most 
important objects in daily use and training their ])upils iu the English equivalents. 
From words they proceeded to phrases and from phrases to sentences, teaching them 
to transl.ite from Eskimo into English and rice versa. They gradually added English 
letters and numbers, together with some elementary geography and arithmetic. 
Although they had had a combined experience of thirteen years in the stdioolroom 
iu the States, the teachers declare that they never had more quick-witted, intelli- 
gent pupils than these wild Eskimo children. At the beginning of tho school year 
only a low could count ten in a blundering fashion, and nine-tenths of the pupils 
knew practically no English whatever. At the close of tho tirst school year they 
had a good working vocabulary, knew something of geography and map-drawing 




Eskimo bov in a savage state. 



David Skuvinka. Eskimo bov. at school. 



understood thoroughly the decimal basis of our numbers, could count up to one 
thousand, work examples in simple addition, write and read simple English words, 
and carry on a conversation in English on eyeryday practical matters. " The pupils 
showed a remarkable desire to learn for learning's sake. 

Anvik Christ Church Mission, Protestant Episcopal; Rev. O. Parker and Rev. John 
W. Chapman, teachers ; enrollment, 6 boarding and 38 day pupils; population Atha- 
baskau. The summer of 1890 was spent by the teachers in clearing the ground nec- 
essary for the establishment of their school and residence buildings and in erecting 
a small building, 15 feet square, to serve for tho school. Upon the opening of school 
they found that they had built too small. It was, however, a great improvement 
upon the accommodations of tho previous year. The school opened in the new build- 
ing on the Ist of October, and tho success was very gratifying, the attendance being 
nearly double that of the previous year. The teachers report some very encour- 
aging instances of Indians at a distance bringing their children to get the advan- 
tages of the school. On the 22d of January a trip was made to several villages ou 



928 



EDUCATION RlJtORT, 1890-91. 



Chagelook Slough, for the purpose of interesting the people in the scTiool. They 
only succeeded, however, in reaching the lirst village, the roads beyond that point 
being imiiassable. During the winter season the four walls of a house, 26 by 23 feet 
in size, were raised. The new house will serve for a dwelling, and the present resi- 
dence will be turned into a schoolhouse, utilizing the present small schoolhouse 
for a carpenter shop for the boys. 

EosoriffsXi/ Bohj Cross Mission, Roman Catholic; Rev. P. Tosi, teacher, assisted 
by two sisters of the Order of St. Ann; enrollment, 83; population Eskimo. They 
report the attendance of 53 boarding and 30 day pupils. This is the largest and best 
equipped Roman Catholic school in the Territory. 

iV((7a/o, Roman Catholic; population Indian. No report. 

Bethel, Moravian; Rev. J. (I. Kilbuck in charge, with four assistants; enrollment, 
31; population Eskimo. Owing to the lack of a sufficient food supply, they were 
unable to keep the school in operation more than three terms (or 150 days) out of the 
school year. The schoolroom has been mainly in charge of Rev. E. L. Weber. The 




Moravia Mission at Bethel, Alaska. 
[From Chrislian Herald.] 




Kev. J. H. Kilbuck, Bethel, Alaska. 
[ From Christian Herald.] 

pupils made decided progress in the usual branches taught in schools with the excep- 
tion of speaking English. Owing to the fact that English is not heard in the com- 
munity outside of the school aud mission, it is very ditticult to secure its speaking 
by the pupils. In addition to the ordinary school studies taken, instruction was 
given in descriptive and physical geography and in physiology and hygiene. Three 
of the boys were given music lessons. Out of school hours the boys in connection 
with the home are busy in providing fuel aud water, also in hunting for food. Thus 
they are kept in touch with the methods necessary for them to employ to support 
themselves when they leave school. Two of the jiromisiug boys were sent East ami 
found places in the Indian school at Carlisle, Pa. This being the oldest school among 
the Eskimo of western Alaska, it has made corresponding progress and secured ai 
great iuHnence among the people. 

Carmel, Moravian, in charge of Rev. F. E. Wolf, with three assistants; enrollment, 
18; population, Eskimo: The teacher reports that they have received much ojiposi- 
tion from the Greek priest; that there were from 15 to 18 children whose parents ex- 




MRS. KILBUCK, TEACHER AT BETHEL, WITH HER DAUGHTER KATIE, 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. ^ 929 

pressed a desire to have them attend the school, but were afraid of the priest, wlio 
had forbidden tliem; that some of those who did send chihlren were persecuted for 
it. A protest was sent by the teachers, indorsed by the ollicers of tbe Moravian Mis- 
sionary Society, asking the interference of tlie Bureau of Education. At the request 
of the U. S. Commissioner of Education, the honorable Secretary of the Treasury 
issued instructions for the captain of the U. S. revenue-cutter lha>- to visit the place 
and inquire into the matter; but circumstances beyond control i)reveuted this being 
done. 

Unalasla (Jessie Lee Memorial Home), Methodist Episcopal, John Tuck, in charge, 
with one assistant; attendance, 16 boarders and 31 day scliolars; population, Aleuts 
and Creoles : A great deal of interest has been manifested in tbe school by the com- 
munity, the grown-iip daughters of the Russian-Greek priest being among the pupils. 
There was also less interference with the regular attendance of soliool on account of 
the church holidays than is usual in communities under the influence of the Russian- 
Greek Church. The progress of the pupils is all that could be desired. Indeed, 
Prof. Tuck, who is a teacher of many years experience in New England, reports that 
he never saw better progress made in any school. Capt. M. A. Healy, commander of 
the United States revenue-cutter Bear, has taken a great interest in the school be- 
cause of its successful management, and very kindly gave free passage to 6 orphan 
girls that were sent Irom St. Paul Island to Unalaska to attend school. Prof. Tuck 
still labors under the very great disadvantage of insufficient room for the school. 

Kadiak District, 
public schools. 

Kadial; William E. Roscoe, teacher; enrollment, 80; population, Russian Creoles: 
The teacher reports a very successful year. The children who came with any degree 
of regularity made excellent progress. Some trouble, as usual, was experienced from 
the opijosition of the priest of the Greek Church, and the taking away of the children 
for almost daily services of the church during certain months of the year. 

•Afognah, John Dull', teacher; enrollment, 39; population, Russian Creoles and 
Eskimo: School was opened on the 3d of October, a number of children coming in 
from neighboring villages to enjoy its advantages. During the year a comfortable 
school building and teacher's residence were erected. The teacher reports that, 
while the people are quiet and inoffensive, yet a hundred years of misrule has broken 
their spirit and left them without hope or courage to better their condition; that 
intemperance is very rife among them, and that many of the pupils of the school, 
during the winter, were on the verge of starvation because their parents had wasted 
nearly all their living on intoxicating liquors. On visiting his pupils at their homes, 
he often found both parents dead drunk and the hungry children shivering with 
cold. Until some efficient means can be employed to prevent the introduction of 
liquors among them, the school work will be carried on under very great disadvan- 
tages. 

Karluk, Nicholas Faordorf, teacher ; enrollment, 33 ; population, Eskimo : A comfort- 
able teacher's residence and school building have been erectedat this place. The chief 
industry is canning salmon, which gives employment to children as well as adults, 
so that during the run of the salmon in summer school is suspended. It is an impor- 
tant center for a school, and it is hoped that much can be accomplished in the future. 
Among the children are a large number of orphans that ought to be placed in an 
orphans' home, where they can be properly fed and clothed as well as taught. It is 
hoped that this end will be accomplished when the women of the American Baptist 
Home Missionary Society establish their proposed home on Wood Island. 

Sitka District. 

Juneau, Xo. 1,'Rhoda, A.Lee, teacher; enrollment, 33 ; population, Americans: The 
children have made very gratifying progress during the year. They work under the 
grave disadvantage of being crauiped in their schoolroom. Through the growth of 
the community a much larger school building is needed. It is also important that a 
small sum be allowed for draining and tixing up the school grounds. 

Juneau, No. 2, Mrs. Seth Tozer, teacher; enrollment, 51 ; population, Thlingets : The 
native children that reside with their parents have been very irregular in their at- 
tendance. The tendency f"- '^he parents to take the whole family with them when 
they go off fishing, huntiu , or in search of work greatly interferes with the progress 
of the children in their school work. Some 25 of the children, however, are occupants 
of the Presbyterian Home conducted by Rev. Eugene S. Willard and three assistants. 
These children, attending school everyday and having special training out of school 
hours, made very commendable progress. The difference in the progress between 
these children Irora the Home and the children from the native village is so great 



930 



EDUCATION REfORT, 1890-91 



that it emphasizes the need of more Homes, to secure the very best results from school 
work. During the year a good bell has been furnished the school. 

Douglas, No. .1, Mrs. W. S. Adams, teacher; enrollment, 23; population, Amer- 
icans: This is the white school for the mining settlement on Douglas Island, Mrs. 
Adams was indefatigable in her efforts to interest and advance the pupils under her 
care. 

Douglas, No. ^, Charles H.Edwards, teacher; enrollment, 68; population, Thlingets: 
The enthusiasm and skill of Mr. Edwards as a teacher has made his native school 
equal to any in the Territory. 

KilUsnoo, W. A. McDougall, teacher; enrollment, 68; population, Thlingets, with 
a very few Russian Creoles. 

Sitica, No. 1, Casfy.a Patton, teacher; euiollment, 54; population, whites and Rus- 
sian Creoles: This school, being attended by the children of the Government otiQcials 
in Alaska, has scholars in more advanced studies tlian any other in the Territory. 
Miss Patton has proved herseK a very efficient and successful teacher. 

Sitka, No. S, Mrs. Lena Vanderbilt, teacher; enrollment, 55; population, Thlin- 
gets: Owing to the want of cooperation on the part of the governor, who failed to 
use his influence with the native population to secure the attendance of their chil- 
dren at school, the results have been less satisfactory in this than in any other 
school. Instead of an enrollment of 55 it ought to be at least 200, and this could 
have been brought about if the proper influence had been exerted in the community, 

Wrangel, Mrs, W. G. Thomas, teacher; enrollment, 93; poj)ulatiou, Thliugets: 
This school has during the year past entered the second stage of its existence, the 
earlier pupils having largely grown up and goiie oft' for work ami left a second and 
younger set of children to come into the school. Mrs. Thomas, haviug been the first 
and only teacher of the school from the date of its organization as a Goverument 
school, has had the great satisfiiction of seeing the fruit of her work. 

Klaioach, H, C, Wilson, teacher; enrollment, 50; population, Tlilingets: During 
the year the schoolhouse has been repaired and made very comfortable. 

Jacl'son, Mrs. Clara G. McLeod, teacher; enrollment, 100; poimlation, Hydai: 
This school, like the one at Wrangel. having had but one teacher during its whole 
history, has made much progress. 

CONTRACT SCHOOLS, 

The SWca Industrial Training ScJiool: This, largest of all the industrial schools in 
Alaska, was established in 1880 by the Board ot' Home Missions in the Pi-esbyterian 
Church, United States of America, aud has since become a Government contract 
school, although the entire plant, consisting of more than a dozen buildings, is 
owned exclusively by the board. The total number of pupils enrolled from the 
commencement of the school year was 99 boys aud 60 girls, making a total of 159. 
The average attendance for the year was 140. The ages of pupils ranged from four 
to twenty- one years. 

The buildings are admirably situated on an elevation back some 200 feet from 
high-water mai'k, Avith a gently rolling beach in front, and about centrally located 
between the village and Indian River. An abundant supply of j)ure water is 
brought in pipes a distance of three-fourths of a mile. The water is forced to a 
height of 80 feet into a large tank by means of a pump run by water power, and 
from this source all the buildings, including hospitals, are supplied. 

The model cottages are eight in number, where the married couples from the 
school begin housekeeping in "Boston style," as the natives express it. Funds for 
the erection of some of the cottages were loaned (without interest) by the Indian 
Rights Association, and funds for the erection of others were contributed by indi- 
viduals in full sympathy with a rational system of dealing with the Indian problem. 
The young people who occupy the cottages have a life lease of the ground, and are 
expected to pay for the building they occupy in annual installments. The average 
cost of a cottage is $350, Of 9 couples married, some of whom were in school only 
four years, 8 are doing well, and are trustworthy, reliable citizens. Like all true 
homes, we expect these to be the centers of purity from which will radiate blessed 
influences tliat shall be far-reaching aud lasting in their results. Here family life 
is established, and family ties are held sacred; here industry, frugality, persever- 
ance, and thrift are developed; here old customs have no place — no Indian doctors, 
no witchcraft, no pot laches, no indemnity payments, no plural wives, no driuking, 
no gambling, no imjirovident want, no reckless living. In these model homes the 
young husbands have a chance to develop into manly, self-supporting men, and the 
young housewives have opportunity to develop into tidy, industrious, womanly 
women. 

In the winter of 1887-88 the Society of Alaskan Natural History and Ethnology 
was organized and incorporated. The purpose is to collect and preserve in connec- 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 931 

tion with the Sitka Industrisil antl Training School specimen illustrations of the 
natural history and ethnok)f;y of Alaska. 

Ho8i)ital8: There are two wards, capable of accommodating 12 patients each. 
During tlie summer tlie death rate was not high. The wards, however, were never 
vacant. The approach of a rainy winter brings colds, pneumo: ia, rlicuniatism, con- 
sumption, and epidemic diseases. Chronic troubles, sore eyes, scrofula, syphilitic 
taints, and tubercular disease are common among native parents and are visited upon 
the children. Patients receive tlie remedies, but owing to neglect of guidance they 
disreg.ard the laws'of health. It is a task to keep convalescents from exposure to 
drafts and violating sanitary regulations. The preparation of food, admiuisteriug 
of medicine, care of the wardrobe, dressing of cuts, wounds, and sores, the watching 
and anxiety, are all exliausting to the nervous system, but when disease yields to 
treatment the school physician and nurses feel repaid for all their services. 

Language: Tlie children speedily acquire an English-speaking vocabulary when 
strictly prohibited from using their native dialects. For five years English has 
been the exclusive language of the school. Experience has removed all doubt as to 
its expediency. The use of their vernaculars ( Thlhuiet, Tsimpshean, Hydia) seriously 
retards their progress and does them no essential benefit. No schoolbooks have 
ever been printed in any of their native dialects. Each distinct people has a dialect 
of its own, local in character, and in course of time the vernacular dialects of the 
tribes of southeastern Alaska will become obsolete and English will everywhere 
prevail. As a matter of preservation the Society of Alaskan Natural History and 
Ethnology has lately commenced to reduce the Thlinget language to writing, which 
we hope to accomplish through the instrumentality of Mrs. Paul and Miss Willard, 
two native teachers of the industrial school. 

Culinary department : This department is a place of great interest to the pupils, 
both boys and girls, small and large. All want to come into the lytchen to work 
andto learn to cook. The boys wish to know how to cook good meals and bake 
good bread, pies, and cakes. They often ask if they can come into the kitchen to 
work, and this stirs up a spirit of emulation among the girls so that they beg to 
work in the kitchen; consetxuently, there is no lack of those who desire to work in 
these departments. 

In the bakery the work is too heavy for the girls, and is done entirely by the boys. 
During the past year they have averaged 140 pounds of flour baked daily turning 
out from 90 to 100 loaves of delicious bread a day. When the girls serve in the 
kitchen they bake the pies and cakes, and the boys in their turn do the same, which 
is during the winter season, that being the hard period of work. Much attention 
has been given to the quality of food, and in the past few years it has been greatly 
improved. One great victory won in the battle of work in these departments is 
cleanliness. In this direction there has been a vast improvement made. It is a 
pleasure now to be with them and hear them say, " Oh, this must be very clean; I 
want it to be clean and nice." Viewing these dejiartmeuts, they have made rapid 
progress in the last year. 

The kitchen is supplied with both hot and cold water. The greatest obstacle in 
the work of these departments is the annoyance of having green wood much of the 
time. 

The sewing room has been enlarged and nicely papered. The light is admitted 
from the east, so that they get the benetit of the morning sun. This department is 
well equipped, and the amount of work done each week is surprising. The girls 
over 7 years of age knit their own stockings. In the sewing department they learn 
quickly and accomplish much. Sewing machines are in daily use, and the girls soon 
learn to use them. Almost every graduate has a machine of her own. 

All the shoes are made by the boys, apprenticed under the direction of a master 
workman. Considerable custom work is also done. 

Laundry : Mrs. Simpson, in charge of this department, says in her report : " Nearly 
all of the large boys that formerly had charge of the machinery have gone from the 
school, and two of the younger boys have charge of all the machinery, and are getting 
along nicely." 

The steam laundry, with its labor-saving machinery, relieves the teachers and 
pupils of much hard drudging work incident to a school of this character where 
water and soap must be used in such copious quantities. 

Carpentry department : All of the buildings on the mission premises, twenty or 
more, have been built by boys apprenticed to this trade, under the supervision of a 
competent foreman. Shopwork consists in the making of furniture, bookcases, 
clothespresses, screens, chests, curtain poles, picture frames, hand-sleds, bric-a-brac 
work, and undertaking. The outdoor work consists of joining, framing, contract- 
ing, and building. Sail-making and boat-building are among the useful industries 
of this department. Among our carpenter apprentices a number have shown special 
aptitude as artists and designers. The spirit of earnest industry is most praise- 
worthy, and the boys appreciate their opportunities. 



932 EDUCATION REPORT, 1890-91. 

Gardening: Mr. John Gamble, gardener and general worker, has three medium- 
sized plats of arable land. One garden, which has been cultivated for several 
years, produces lettuce, beets, peas, and onions in abundance. Of the other gar- 
dens, which are new, one is planted in potatoes and the other sown in turiiips. 
Cereals, for lack of warmth and sunshine, do not ripen. Currants, rhubarb, rasp- 
berries, cauliflower, and celery are easily grown. Fruits, such as apples, plums, and 
pears, have not been fully tested, but it is believed that they could be grown with 
success. 

Blacksmithing can hardly be classed among the trades by wliich a man can earn 
a living in Alaska, yet there is much work in this line, doing repairs about the mis- 
sion, mending machinery, repairing stoves, making stovepipes, camp hooks, sharpen- 
ing tools, and doing miscellaneous jobs for the citizens of the quaint little capital. 
Soldering and a little tin work are also done. The constant wear and tear in most of 
the work departments require much repairing, nearly all of which is done by the 
boys. 

Painting : Two or three of the boys have received instruction in this useful branch 
of industry, and are kept busy painting, papering, glazing, and kalsomining. 

Recreations and amusements : The home life of the school is particularly pleas- 
ant. Their games and plays are such as white children enjoy, consisting of games 
of "marbles, baseball, townball, playing soldier, flying kites, sailing ships, target prac- 
tice with bow and arrow, authors, checkers, dominoes, rope-jumping, hide-and-seek. 
Coasting and skating are indulged in by both sexes. Then there is an organ for the 
girls and another for the boys, and violins, guitars, fifes, bugles, and the irrepressible 
mouth organs are among the amusements and recreations of each day. 

A rational system of discipline is easily and well maintained. 

Those in charge aim to make the industrial training school just what its name 
implies. Manual occupations are in reach of the pupils as fast as they acquire suf- 
iicient knowledge of the English language to enable them to prosecute the learning 
of a trade with success. To accomplish anything permanent and of material benefit 
in the way of mastering trades, they must first acquire a fair, common school educa- 
tion, before which they are not prepared to serve an intelligent apprenticeship. 
After certain initiatory advancement has been made, industrial training is then 
made coequal with school-room work. While the boys are taught trades, the girls 
are taught all branches of household industry. Indeed, the appointments and work 
of the school are such as to familiarize them with American ways of living and to 
ingraft into their lives industrious habits. 

Hoonah, Presbyterian, John W. McFarland. teacher; enrollment, 171 day pupils; 
population, Thlingets: Mr. McFarland was assisted in his work by Mr. Fred- 
erick Moore, a native Alaskan, who had been educated in Sitka and had also been 
three or four years in Mr. Moody's school for young men, at Mount Herman, Mass. 

MeiJalahtla, William Duncan in charge; enrollment, 172; population, Tsimpsean: 
The school this year has been placed in charge of Mr. and Mrs. .Tames F. McKee, 
experienced teachers from Pennsylvania, assisted by some of the more advanced of 
the native pupils. 

PRIVATE AND MISSION SCHOOLS. 

Unalal'lilc, Swedish Evangelical Mission Union, Rev. Axel E. Karlson and Rev. 
August Anderson in charge; enrollment, 96; population, Eskimo : The station was 
strengthened during the past year by the arrival of Mr. David Johnson and Miss 
Hannah Swenson. The school opened on the 1st of October with an attendance 
of 36; by Christmas the enrollment had reached 96. A number of them came from 
distant villages, one family coming 300 miles across country from the Arctic re- 
gion. During the long winter evenings the children were taught various kinds of 
industrial work, and a number of the boys as well as the girls took lessons in sew- 
ing. Invitations have been received by the teachers for the establishment of branch 
schools in distant villages. 

Takutat, Swedish Evangelical Mission Union, Rev. K. J. Hendrickson and Rev. 
Albin Johnson, teachers; enrollment, 14 boarding and 60 day pupils; population, 
Thlingets. During the year Mrs. Anna Karlson, Selma Peterson, and Agues Wallin 
have been added to the mission force. Miss Wallin was from Jankaping, Sweden, 
and had made a journey of 9,000 miles to join Rev. Mr. Johnson, of the mission, to 
whom she was married upon her arrival at the mission, on the 18th of May. A large, 
substantial boarding-house, 35 by 14 feet in size, and two and a half stories high, has 
been erected. During the winter the church attendance at this station numbei"ed 
250. 

Nuklukahyet, St. James Mission, Church of England; Rev. and Mrs. T. H. Cannan 
in charge; enrollment, 75; population, Indians: The school has been carried on 
regularly for two years, with an average attendance of from 25 to 30 in winter and 
a much larger number durijig the spring mouths. The school has been much crip- 



• EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 933 

pled in its efficiency by the want of suitable school nuitcnal, their supplies until 
recently having been received from Loudon by ship to Hudson Bay, and then by dog 
sled, a six months' journey from Hudson Bay to the headwaters of the Yukon. 

Seal Lslaiids, i>t. I'aul and St. George Islands, Simeon Milevedof, teaclier at St. 
Paul, and A. L. Noyes, m. d., teacher at St. Georj^e; population, Aleuts: Each of 
these schools report an attendance of 20. They are conducted by the North Ameri- 
can Commercial Company under contract with the Treasury Department. They have 
met with very great difficulty in instructing the children to speak and use the Eng- 
lish language. 

Juneau, Prcsbyiei-ian, Rev. Eugene S. Willard in charge, with three assistants; 
enrollment, 25; population, Thlingits: The Willard Home during the past year has 
been caring for boys and girls who, rescued from heathenism, are being trained for 
lives of Christian usefulness. The only limit to the work is the size of the building, 
but arrangements are being provided for increased tacilities. The work of Mr. and 
Mrs. Willard, Miss Matthews, and Miss Dunbar is one of unselfish devotion for the 
elevation of the Alaskans. 

Juneau, Roman Catholic: A school is carried on under the auspices of the. Sisters 
of St. Ann. No report. 

Douglas City, the Friends, teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Silas R. Moon; enrollment, 51; 
population, Thlingits : A successful home for orphan children is carried on at this 
place under the ausjiices of the Kansas Yearly Society of Friends. No report has 
been received. 

JacAson, Presbyterian : The Home for Girls, in charge of Mrs. A. R. McFarland, 
has proved a very helpful institution for that community. A new school and home 
building has been erected during the year, and the work is in a flourishing condition. 

RUSSIAN-GREEK CHURCH SCHOOLS. 

(Supported by the Imperial Government ol lluseia.) 

St. P««7, Kadiak Island, Russian-Greek Church Parish School; attendance, 40; 
taught by the priest: A school session is held from 4 to 6 p. m., each day. 

Ikogmute, Yukon River; attendance, 15: The school session lasts from 9 to 1 
o'clock, and was maintained 150 days during the year. 

Unalaska; enrollment, 46; population, Russian Creoles; school year, 160 days: 
These schools have been largely for the teaching of the lituirgy to the children of 
the Greek Church. 

Sitka, Alaska; population, Thlingets: This school is one of the largest and best 
conducted of the Russian-Greek schools in the Territory. No report received. 

RULES AND REGULATIONS. 

•In accordance with the rules and regulations for the conduct of schools and edu- 
cation in Alaska, approved by the Honorable Secretary of the Interior, creating the 
office of assistant general agent, Mr. William Hamilton, of Bethlehem, Pa., was 
appointed to the position. 

It was also deemed advisable to secure the services of Governor Lyman E. Knapp 
and .Judge John S. Bugbee, counselors of the Bureau of Education, in matters per- 
taining to education in Alaska, at a salary of $200 each per annum. 



934 EDUCATION EE^ORT, 1890-91. 

STATISTICS. 
Table 1. — Enrollment and monthly attendance, 1890-91. 









Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


Jan. 


reb. 


Mar. 


Apr. 


May. 


Scliools. 


= 1. 
II 

;2i 


3 
o 
H 


6 


"a 
1 


4) 

k 
<1 


O 


to 

a 

o 
> 




H 




u 


< 


1 


g 

9 

< 


1 


& 

2 

a 
> 


1 


6 


3 



bfl 

> 


"a 





Public. 

Sitka— 

No.l 

No 2 . 


187 
165 

195 

192 

192 
192 
192 
192 
193 
150 
197 
195 
193 

195 

98 
159 
10(1 


54 
55 

33 
51 

23 
68 
68 
93 
100 
50 
80 
33 
37 

164 
173 
38 
44 
68 
30 
18 
51 


45 


29 


50 
35 

22 
36 

20 
46 
47 
46 
59 
22 
55 
29 
28 

164 


40 
16 

16 
20 

16 
21 
17 
27 
14 
6 
35 
29 
23 


50 
35 

23 
26 

19 
37 
45 
51 
59 
15 
55 
29 
25 

164 
86 
22 
35 
65 
27 
13 
49 


38 
15 

15 
21 

16 

22 
22 
33 
25 
7 
38 
29 
21 

'33" 
8 

21 
21 
24 
11 


46 
40 

17 
29 

20 
30 
40 
69 
79 


34 
20 

14 
19 

15 
17 
29 
36 
20 


47 
40 

16 
36 

20 
23 
29 
21 
77 


29 
20 

12 
22 

15 
16 
19 
17 
37 


48 
24 

18 
33 

20 
26 
25 
26 
37 
23 
53 
32 
30 

142 

123 
20 
26 
52 
18 
9 
50 


38 
12 

14 
21 

17 
16 
15 
22 
19 
15 
32 
32 
25 

'38' 
12 
15 
26 
15 
8 


45 
40 

20 
28 

20 
27 
37 
26 
49 
28 
53 
32 
27 

142 
90 
24 
24 
51 


32 
15 

17 
20 

18 
18 
18 
22 
22 
13 
34 
32 
22 

'15 
16 
11 
32 


36 
15 

18 
21 

19 

17 
52 
22 
20 
22 
56 
33 
24 

143 


25 
12 

16 
19 

16 
15 
21 
18 
16 
8 
29 
33 
20 


36 
15 

21 
23 

21 
19 
40 
21 
21 
26 
53 
•33 
23 

143 


24 
10 


Juneau — 

No.l 

No. 2 

Douglas- 
No.! 

No.2 

Killisnoo 

"Wraugel 

Jacksou 


24 

34 

20 
41 
46 
40 
52 
52 
47 
29 
23 

164 


17 
21 

17 
22 
15 
26 
14 
14 
22 
29 
15 


17 
18 

16 
15 
17 
19 
13 
11 


Kadiak 

Karluk 

Afognak 

Contract. 

Sitka Indus- 
trial Scliool 


56 
29 
27 

164 
115 
28 
37 
50 
25 
11 
49 


33 
29 
23 

'si' 

14 
21 
20 
23 
11 


53 
32 

28 

142 
122 
32 
38 
50 
23 
12 
50 


25 
32 
24 

'38' 
11 
15 
20 
19 
11 


28 
33 
18 








15 
18 
52 
26 
13 
49 


7 

12 
15 
23 

9 


30 
21 
58 


12 
10 
33 


12 


5 










Point Hope.. '^04 






49 


9 


Bethel . . . 


114 
186 
273 


25 

7 

49 


19 

7 




Carmel 

Kossriffsky.. 
Nulato 


9 

50 


9 


10 
51 


9 


10 
51 


10 


TJnalaska 

Cape Prince 

of Wales... 

Metlakahtla . 


195 

179 
176 


43 

304 

172 


28 

47 
97 


25 

19 
49 


33 

119 

130 


29 

35 
84 


35 

222 
151 


32 

103 
99 


36 

183 
143 


33 

79 
89 


39 

200 
143 


30 

169 

78 


39 

237 

82 


36 

181 
41 


37 

211 
67 


31 

163 
44 


38 

196 

72 


27 

123 
42 


34 

211 
65 


27 

143 
32 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



935 



Table 2. — Xumher in sundry hranvhes of atudij. 



Schools. 



Public day. 



Sitka— 

Ko. 1 . . 

No. 2 . . 
Juneiui — 

No. 1 . . 

No. 2 . . 
Douglas — 

No. 1 . . 

No. 2 . . 
Killisnoo. . 
Wrangel.. 
Jacksou — 
Klawack.. 
Kadiak .-. 
Karluk ... 
Albgnak . . 



Contract. 



Anvik 

Point Hope 

Metlakahtla 

Bethel 

Carmel , 

Hoouab. 

Sitka 

Point Barrow , 

Unalaska 

Kosoviffsky and Nulato 
Capo Prince of Wales.. 



M'»5 



30 



16 



50 116 

27 



50 



40 



24 



16 



116 
■"2' 



m 

40 

24 

23 

16 
45 
10 
69 
39 
45 
56 
32 
30 



24 
4 
151 
27 
13 
32 



10 



32 



32 



32 
'237' 



39 
"237 



39 
237' 



Table No. 3. — Highest enrollment, 1885-1891. 



Public schools. 



A f ognak 

Douglas City — 

No.l 

N0.2 

Fort Wrangel 

Haines 

J ackaon - 

Jnneau — 

No.] 

N0.2 

Kadiak 

Karluk 

Killisnoo 

Klawaek 

Sitka— 

No.l 

No. 2 

Unga 

Contract schools. 

Sitka 

Bethel' 

Carmel 

Nulato 

Kosorififdky 

Anvik 

Metlakahtla 

Hoonah 

Point I?arrow 

Cape Priucc of Wales 

Unalaska 

Point Hope 



Enrollment. 



1885-86. 



(a) 



(a) 
(a) 



(a) 
(a) 
(a) 
(a) 
(a) 



(a) 



1886-87. 1887-88. 



(a) 
(a) 



106 
43 
123 



(a) 
(a) 



125 
184 

60 

138 
35 



100 
13 



24 



(«) 



106 
144 
110 



(a) 



186 

17 
21 



(a) 



90 
128 
105 

36 
58 



(a) 



(a) 



170 
26 
20 



(a) 



(a) 



164 
39 
31 



1890-91. 



(a) 



(a) 



164 
30 
18 



30 
106 



29 
35 
179 



51 

44 

171 

171 

38 

304 

47 

64 



a No school. 



936 



EDUCATION REPORT, 1890-91 



Table 4. — Amounis contributed hij the clnnxlies and Government to the contract schools. 



Contract schools. 



Anvik 

Point Hope 

Metlakahtla 

Bethel 

Carmel 

Hoonah 

Sitka Industrial 

School 

Point Barrow , 

Unalaska 

Nulato 

Kosorift'sky 

Cape Vancouver 

Cape Prince of "Wales 
TJnalaklik 



Pupils, 1890-91. 



Board- 
ers. 



164 

"ie 
"si 



Day. 



38 

64 

164 



31 



304 

47 



Expended by Government. 



1887-88. 1888-89. 1889-90. 1890-91. 



$500 

(«) 

(«.) 
500 
300 

(«) 

(a) 
(a) 
(a) 
(a) 
(a) 
(a) 
W 
(a) 



$1, 000 
(«) 

2,500 
],000 
1,000 
(.a) 

12, 500 
(a) 
(a) 
(a) 
[a) 
(a) 
(a) 
(a) 



$1,000 :$i,ooo^ 

1,000 j 2,000 5 



3,000 
1,000 
1,000 
(a) 

18, 000 
1,000 
1,200 
1, 500? 
1, 500^ 

(a) 
1,000 

(a) 



3,000 
1,000 
1,000 
2001 

15, 000 
2,000 
2,000 

3, 000 ( 

(a) ! 
2 000 
(a) 



Expended by societies, b 
1890-91. 



Name. 



Episcopal .". 

Independent 

Moravian 

Presbyterian 

Methodist 

Catholic 

Congregational . . 
Sweaisli-Evangel 
ical. 



Amount. 



$661. 81 
5, 000. 00 
5, 475. 84 

37, 118. 69 

1, 953. 53 

9, 499. 03 

7, 400. 39 
7, 325. 00 



a No school or no subsidy. 

6 Amounts expended by missionary associations, in addition to subsidies received from the Govern- 
ment. 

PERSONNEL, SALARIES, ETC. 

General agent of education for Alaska, Dr. Sheldon Jackson, Alaska, $1,200; as- 
sistant agent of education for Alaska, William Hamilton, Pennsylvania, $1,200; su- 
perintendent of schools for the southeastern district, James Sheakly, Pennsylvania, 

$480. 

ADVISORY BOARD. 

Hon. Lyman E. Knapp, governor of Alaska, Vermont, $200; Hon. John S. Bughee, 
United States district judge, California, $200. 

LOCAL SCHOOL COMMITTEES (WITHOUT SALARY). 

Sitka, Edward de Groflf, N. K. Peckinpaugh, John G. Brady; Juneau, Karl Koehler, 
John G. Heid, Eugene S. Willard; Douglas, P. H. Fox, G. E. Shotter, S. R. Moon; 
Wrangle, W. G. Thomas, W. Millmore, Allan Mackay; Jackson, James W. Young, 
W. D. McLeod, G. Loomis Gould ; Metlakahtla, David J. Leask, Dr. W. Bluett, Wil- 
liam Duncan ; Kadiak, N. Kashavaroif ; Unga, N. Guttridge, John Catou, Edward 
Cashel; Unalaska, N.B.Anthony. 

Teachers of puMic schools. 



Name. 


State. 


School. 


Salary. 








$720 
1,000 














900 


"N" "P'-inHnrff 




Karluk 


1,000 








900 








720 


Mrs C G McLeod 






900 






Sitka, No. 1 


900 








1,200 








900 


Mrs Seth Tozer 






720 






Unalaska 


1,000 




Ohio 




1,000 


Mrs L Vanderbilt 




Sitka No. 2 


720 











EDUCATION IN ALASKA. . 937 

TEACHERS AND EMPLOYl5s IN CONTHACT SCnOOLS. 

Anvik (Episcopal). — Rev. John AV. Chapman, Vermont; Kov. O. Parker, Oregon. 

Point Hope (Ei>iscopal). — .lohu B. Driggs, m.d., Delaware. 

Kosoiiffsky (Konian Catholic). — Kev. Paschal Tosi, Sister Mary Stephen, Sister 
Mary Joseph, John Burke, John Nagro, Mrs. Emma Bandouiu, Sister Mary Paulina. 

Cape Vancouver (Homan Catholic). — Rev. Joseph Treca, Rev. Paul Muset, Mr. 
John Rosati. 

Nnlato (Roman Catholic). — Rev. Rohant, Rev. Ragaru. 

Bethel (Moravian). — Rev. John H. Kilbuck, Rev. Ernst L. "Weber, Mrs. John H. 
Kilbuck, Mrs. E. L. Weber, Miss Lydia l>ebus. 

Carmel (Moravian). — Rev. F. E. Wolff, Mrs. F. E. W^olfif, Miss Mary Huber, Miss 
Emma Hnber, Rev. J. A. Schoechert. 

Cape Prince of Wales (Congregational). — Mr. H. R.Thornton, of Virginia; Mr. 
W. T. Lopp, of Indiana. 

Point Barrow (Presbyterian). — Mr. Leander M. Stevenson, of Ohio. 

Sitka (Presbyterian)! — W. A. Kelly, principal; Rev. E. A. Austin, chaplain; Miss 
Anna R. Kelsey, matron of girls' department; Mrs. E. A. Austin, matron of boys' 
department; Mrs. S. A. Saxman, assistant matron of boys' department; Mrs. M. C. 
De Vore, teacher of schoolroom No. 2; Mrs. Clarence Thvving, teacher of schoolroom 
No. 1; Miss Frances Willard (native) primary teacher; Miss Mate Brady, in charge 
of sewing department; Mrs. Maggie Simson, in charge of laundry department; Miss 
Kate A. Rankin, in charge of cooking department; Mi'S. Josie Overend, in charge of 
girls' hospital; Mrs. Tillie Paul (native), in charge of boys' hospital; Miss Georgie 
Guest, in charge of teachers' cooking department; Mr. .J. A. Shields, carpentry 
dejiartmeut; Mr. A. T. Simson, boot and shoe department; Mr. Ernest Strnven, 
cooper department; Mr. .John (iamble, general work; Dr. Clarence Thwing, physi- 
ciau; William Wells (native) interpreter. 

IJnalaska (Methodist). — Mr. John A. Tuck, Mrs. John A. Tuck, and Miss Lydia F. 
Richardson. 

Metlakahtla: Mr. William Duncan, Mr. James F. McKee, Mrs. James F. McKee. 

TEACHERS IN PRIVATE AND CHURCH SCHOOLS. 

Unalalaklik (Swedish Evangelical): Rev. Axel E. Karlson, Augustus Anderson, 
David Johnson, Miss Hannah Sweuson. 

Yakutat (Swedish Evangelical) : Rev. Albert Johnson, Rev. K. J. Henrickson, 
Miss Anna Carlson, Selma I'eterson. Agnes Wallin. 

Hoonah (Presbyterian) : Rev. John W. McFarland, Mrs. M. D. McFarland, Fred- 
eric L. Moore (native). 

Juneau (Presbyterian): Rev. Eugene S. Willard, Mrs. E. S. Willard, Miss Eliza- 
beth Matthews, Miss Margaret Dunbar, Rev. S. H. King, Mrs. S. H. King. 

Juneau (Roman Catholic) : Rev. John Althoft", Sister Mary Zeno, Sister iSIary Peter, 
Sister Mary Bousecouer. 

Jackson (Presbyterian) : Mrs. A. R. McFarland, Miss C. A. Baker, Rev. J. Loomis 
Gould, Mrs. J. L. Gould. 

Douglas (Friends) : Mr. S. R. Moon, Mrs. S. R. Moon, Mr. E. W. W^eesner, Mrs. E. W. 
AVeesner, Mr. C. H. Edwards. 

St. Paul Island (North American Commercial Company) : Simeon Milevedoff. 

St. George Island (North American Connnercial Company) : A. L. Noyes, m. d. 

Nuklukahyet Yukon River (Church of England) : Rev. and Mrs. T. H. Canham. 

Buxton, Yukon River (Church of England) : Rev. J. W. Ellington. 

Rampart House, Yukon River (Church of England) : Rev. C. G. Wallis. 

SCHOOL BUILDING. 

During the year a small cheap schoolhouse was erected at the Kake village on 
Kupreanof Island. 

EDUCATION OF ALASKAN CHILDREN IN THE EAST. 

The Alaskans at eastern schools are distributed as follows : Edward Marsden 
(Tsimpsean), Marietta College, Ohio; William S. Fredericks (American) and George 
Fredericks (American), Middleburg, Vt. ; Frederick Harris' (Thlinget), Henry 
Philips (Thlinget), David Skuviuk (Eskimo), and George Nocoohluke (Eskimo), 
Indian Scho(d, Carlisle, Pa.; Shawan Sheshdaiik (Thlinget), Educational Home, 
Philadelphia, Pa.; Mattie Salamatoft' (Aleut), Nornyil, San Jose, Cal. ; Olga Hilton 

> Trederick Harris died at Carlisle, June 10, 1890. 



938 EDUCATION REPORT, 1890-91. 

9 

(Russian), Young Ladies' Seminary, Northfield, Mass. ; Florence Wells (TMinget), 
Young Ladies' Seminary, Northtield, Mass.; Flora Campbell (Thlinget), Young 
Ladies Seminary, Northiield, Mass. ; Bluuelie Lewis (Tlilinget), Young Ladies' Sem- 
inary, North Held, Mass. 
Of Henry Philips, Capt. R. H. Pratt, of the Carlisle School, writes : 
" I have had Henry Philips for nearly a year in a machine shop in the town of 
Carlisle, where he has made most wonderful progress in his knowledge of machinery. 
He is bound up in it, far more interested in it than he was in the printing rooms. 
There is very little about an engine that he cannot now attend to. Moreover, he 
has become a very strong, sensible boy. His brain power has developed wonder- 
fully, and he is, I believe, a sincere Christian, and leads the students in that feature 
of our school work. Now, I have not talked with him on the subject of yonr letter. 
The opportunity for him to go into this work came through his Sunday School 
teacher, who is the head of one of our firms in the town of Carlisle. It came natu- 
rally, and its worth has been fully established. I believe that Henry may go back 
to Alaska, able to go into any of their great mining machinery departments, or he 
may tind profitable employment in the country at large. 

SUPERVISION. 

In accordance with your directions, I left Washington on the 19th of May, reach- 
ing Port Towusend on the 25th. Immediately going on board the U. S. S. Bear, I 
was assigned quarters in the captain's cabin. From May 24 to 291 was very busy 
securing barter goods for the purchase of reindeer and supplies for the schools at 
Cape Prince of Wales and Point Barrow. At Port Towusend, Mr. J. P.Russell and 
party, of the U. S. Bureau of Ethnology, were received on board for transportation 
to the base of Monnt St. Elias. 

At 4 a. m. on the 30th of May anchor was weighed and we left for the north. On 
the 4th of June we caught our first glimpse of Mount St. Elias, one hundred and 
forty miles away. We coasted all day along the Fair-weather range of mountains, 
covered with snow and large glaciers. We also passed a number of sealing vessels. 
At 11.45 p. m. dropped anchor on the south side of Fort Mulgrave, and were soon 
after visited by Mr. Henrickson, one of the Swedish missionaries at that place. 
On June 5, immediately after breakfast, I went ashore and inspected the school 
and mission station. The teachers in charge were Rev. K. J. Henrickson and Rev. 
and Mrs. Albin Johnson. I found the missionaries living in a small one and a half 
story house (20 by 30 feet) of four rooms on the ground tioor. Into this house they 
had taken eight boys and six girls as lodgers. During the past winter they reported 
250 people in attendance at church and 60 children at school. They have erected 
and inclosed a complete and substantial frame building (35 by 45 feet), two and a 
half stories high. The schoolroom is so far finished as to be occupied. With very 
great labor they have cleared two or three acres of laud and planted them with pota- 
toes and turnips. 

Commencing with July 1, 1891, this will be made one of the contract schools of 
the Government. From the mission we Avent througli the native village; then, tak- 
ing a boat, we crossed the bay in a driving rain and visited the old village, return- 
ing to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon I again went ashore, when the school 
children were called together and examined by myself. In the neighborhood of 
Yakatat are coal measures, and along the beach a black sand bearing gold. On the 
6th of June we weighed anchor at 2 :40 a. m. and at 9 :25 a. m. dropped anchor off Guyot 
Glacier, Icy Bay. At 9 for a short time Mount St. Elias emerged from the clouds 
and stood revealed before its from base to top in all its majesty. It was a sight 
never to be forgotten. The whole distance from Yakatat to Icy Bay we skirted the 
base of Mount St. Elias and the gigantic glaciers that occupy the coast line. Upon 
dropping anchor Lieut. Jarvis was sent asliore to see if a landing could be made 
through the surf in safety. He reported favorably ; preparations were at once made 
to land the exploring party and their supplies. At 10 o'clock Lieut. Jarvis led the 
way, in charge of the second cutter, with a load of supplies. Fifteen minutes later 
he was followed by the third cutter, in charge of Lieut. L. L. Robinson, with James 
Haisler, cockswain, W.J.Wright, H. Smith, T. F. Anderson, and A.Nelson, seamen, 
and W. C. Moore, of Prof. Russell's party. This boat capsized just before entering 
the breakers and all the occupants were drowned except seaman Wright. At 10:30 
the first cutter of Lieut. Broadbent was sent in, biit before reaching the breakers, 
seeing tho fate of the other boat, was recalled to the ship. 

The balance of the day was spent in uncertainty as to the fate of the crew in the 
wrecked boat. First, Lieut. McConnel was sent in shore as close as the breakers 
would allow, but was unable to secure information. The next morning Lieuts. 
McConnel and Broadbent were sent to the edge of the breakers to endeavor to open 
communication with Lieut. Jarvis on shore. They tlicn returned, reporting the loss. 
Lieut. Jarvis was then signaled to bury the body of seaman Anderson, and, when he 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 939 

conld safely do so, embark and return aboard with the body of Lieut. Robinson, the only 
bodies that were recovered at the date of sailinj;-. At slack water, hij.'.U tide, Lieut. 
Jarvis and men returned to the ahij), brinj;in<jj with them the body of Lieut. Robin- 
sou. Several boat loads of supplies were then safely landed, until the third cutter, 
breaking its oarlock, capsized at the landinjjj, and the cutter that was still outside 
the surf was recalled to the ship. Lieut. McCtmnul and crew of the overturned cut- 
ter stayed on shore all nif;ht. At 2.15 a. m., .luneS, Lieut. McConncl signaled that 
it was safe to land the balance of Prof. Russell's party and the supplies, which was 
done. At 4.2.5 a. m. anchor was weighed and we sailed for Sitka, 285 knots away, 
reaching there at 5.12 p. m. 

At 11 o'clock on .June 10 the body of Lieut. Robinson was buried in the military 
and naval cemetery. While at Sitka I insjiected the two Government schools, and 
also the industrial training school. While there Mr. William Wells, .lohn Matthew, 
and William Hoouah, native boys trained in the industrial school, were enlisted on 
the Bear in the place of the drowned crew. On the 14th anchor was weighed at 3 a. 
m., and the ship started for the Shumagin Islands. 

At 4:30 in the morning, June 18, the captain called me to the deck to see the scen- 
ery. We were abreast of Cape St. John, Alaska Peninsula. To the south were 
Castle Rock and Big and Little Koninshi islands. To the southwest was Nagai 
Island. In front was Androiiick Island; and between Andronick and Nagai islaiucls 
the Seven Haystack Rocks stood as sentinels across the AVest Nagai Straits. To the 
northwest were Korovoin and Bouldyr islands, while over and beyond them was 
the main peninsula, with its snow-covered mountains glistening in the morning sun. 
In the lower ravines of the mountains lay great banks of fog. Hour after hour I 
sat watching with unabated interest the ever-changing panorama. On the right a 
school of whales was playing. Then a sea otter tantalizingly lifted its head out 
from its watery home to see what strange monster was passing by. 

About 8 o'clock we passed into Gorman Straits, between Korovoin and Andronick 
islands, heading for Pirate Cove on Popott" Island. On Korovoin is a small settle- 
ment of two large families. They have four or five houses and a small Greek church. 
The patriarch of the settlement is a Russian, who claims to be 105 years old. Passing 
to the north of High Island, we were abreast of Pirate Cove. Steam was shut off, 
the propeller stopped with ajar, and the ship lay oli" and on, while a boat was sent 
ashore in charge of Lieut. Jarvis. A small, high, narrow nook of land extending 
out into the sea forms a small but beautiful land-locked bay, just such a sheltered 
and hidden retreat as might be chosen by i)irates, from which to make a sudden raid 
upon some passing vessel. According to tradition, this was once the stronghold of 
a piratical and warlike peoi>le, who subsisted by raiding neighboring settlements, 
from whom they exacted triltute in skins, furs, and iish. They usually made their 
piratical raids in their large skin boats. They were bold and brave and became the 
terror of the Shumagin Islands. For many years the Leighboring settlements groaned 
under their oppressive rule, until it became so heavy and unendurable that a secret 
combination of warriors was formed at Korovoin to make a desperate eli'ort for lib- 
erty. Under cover of a dark and stormy Alaskan night they made an attack on 
Pirate Cove. Taken unawares, the peojde fell before the avenging hands of those 
they had so greatly wronged, and the hate of years was wiped out in the complete 
massacre of the pojiulation, not a man, woman, or child being left alive. The place 
is now utilized by the McCoUam Fishing and Trading Company for a cod-lishing 
station. 

Landing on the wharf, we had to pick our way across, through, and over a large 
heap of iish that were waiting to be cleaned, while on the beach near by a large 
flock of noisy sea gulls awaited breakfast from the refuse thrown away in cleaning 
the tish. In a neighboring storehouse forty thousand codfish were awaiting trans- 
portation to market. On the beach was the machinery of the wrecked steamer Pre- 
mier. On a grassy, flowery hillside back of the building were the lone graves of 
thirteen sailors that were drowned a few years before in the wreck of a schooner. 
Of the crew of sixteen but three escaped. Gathering large bouquets of beautiful 
wild flowers, we returned to the ship and were soon under way for Unga. 

Turning south, we skirted the east side of Popotf Island, rounded Popoft' Head, and 
made direct for the mouth of Unga Harbor, where we dropjicd anchor at noon. I 
went ashore and inspected theschoolhouse and supplies. About 3 o'clock p. m. anchor 
was again weighed and we went to Sand Point, dropping anchor in Humboldt Har- 
bor, where I again went ashore. At 2 :25 a.m. anchor was again weighed and we 
left Humboldt Harbor for Unalaska. At 4:20 we were rounding the Sea Lion Rocks 
off the extreme southern end of Unga Island. At 9 o'clock we ])assed a small settle- 
ment of Aleuts on W^osnesensky Island, which lay to the southwest of our course. 
Passing to the north of Ukolsuoy Island a "woolly " ' swept doAvn from Pavloft' Bay 
that sent the spray in sheets across our deck. Directly ahead was Pavloff volcano, 



•A sadden gale of wind that sweeps down high mountains on the seacoast. 



940 EDUCATION REPORT, 1890-91. 

• 

covered with snow from Lase to summit. From tlie craterlazily arose puffs of smoke 
and steam which flew off before the wind. Rounding Cape Baum, we passed, on 
Dolgay Island, the viHage of Nicclopski, of three or four liouses, and the omnipresent 
Greek church. Passing west of Goloy Iskmd and on between the inner and outer 
Iliask Islands, we were abreast of Belkofsky, a noted sea-otter hunting village. 
This is said to bo one of the windiest settlements in Alaska. Situated on a bluff at 
the base of a high mountain, the " woollies" sweep over it with such violence that 
at times a tub set outside of the door is in danger of being blown out to sea. The 
village has, next to Sitka, the best Greek church building in the Territory. Upon 
one occasion the captain of the revenue cutter, learning that one of the citizens Avas 
making "quass" (native lieer) contrary to liiw, sent a force on shore to seize and 
destroy the liquor. The owner became so furious at the loss of his liquor that he 
called upon the men to take everything he had, saying that without his liquor life was 
not worth living, and when they left him he was smashing his windows, throwing 
his crockei-y out of doors, and breaking up his furniture generally. 

To the north of us a few miles was Bailey Harbor, where, during November, 1886, 
in the steam schooner Leo, 1 safely rode out a winter's gale. Passing between Cape 
Tonkey and Deer Island, in the distance loomed up Unca, a small rock upon which 
one fall were ])laced two natives to spend the winter in search of sea otters. When 
taken off the following spring, they were nearly dead from starvation, a storm hav- 
ing carried away a large portion of their provisions. At 7 o'clock in the evening, 
Sheshaldiu volcano arose up before us, a snow-covered cone, 8,755 feet high. Pass- 
ing between Cape Paukoff and the Sannak group of islands and rocks, we were 
again in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean. On the morning of the 20th, coming 
early upon deck, I found we had, during the night, passed between Ougomok Island 
and Scotch Cape, on Ounimak Island, and were in IJeriug Sea. At 7:30 a.m. we were 
in the midst of a large school of whales. Fourteen were counted playing at one 
time around the ship. Thej'^ were so near that it seemed as if the ship must strike 
some of them. Myriads of birds darkened the surface of the water. Along the 
north shore of Akoutan Island the honeycombed rocks of lava formed many beauti- 
ful arches and caves, while, a short distance inland, lay open before us the crater of 
an extinct volcano. Rounding Priests' Rock, we were soon in Captain's Bay and 
smooth water. Passing Ulakhta Bay, we were opposite Dutch Harbor, where the 
North American Commercial Company are making extensive improvements. A few 
miles further, and at 2:55 p.m., we were at the wharf of the Alaska Commercial 
Company at Unalaska, receiving the cordial greetings of friends. 

U. S. S. Iiush, Capt. Coulson connnanding, and the Alaska Commercial Company's 
schooner Matthew Turner, Capt. Hay, were in port, and, about an hour afterwards, 
the steamer South Coast arrived with a load of miners and mining material for the 
mines of Goloviue Bay. On Wednesday, June 24, there was a heavy shock of 
earthquake. The week was spent mainly on shore, looking after school matters. 
On the 26th a drunken mother took a child out of the boarding department of the 
school, but upon the following day the United States deputy marshal secured the 
girl and returned her to the school. On the 29th the U. S. S. Corivhi, Capt. Hooper 
commanding, arrived with newspapers as late as June 17, from San Francisco. 

At 2 o'clock p. m. on the 30th of June anchor was weighed and we started for our 
long Arctic cruise, our first stop being off' the village on St. George Island, at 9:45 
p. m. on July 1. The school kept under the auspices- of the North American Com- 
mercial Company report an average attendance of twenty pupils. The surf being 
too bad for landing, at 3:15 a. m. on July 2, we started for St. Paul Island, reaching 
there at 9 o'clock. The forenoon was spent in visiting the village and looking after 
school matters. The attendance for the preceding year had ranged from 42 to 50. 
Between the landing and the village there is a large wooden cross which marks the 
spot where the first religious service was held on the island, by the Russo-Greek 
Church. Returning to the ship we got under way at 2 :45 p. m. and for the next 
day steamed through the rain and fog. On the morning of the 4th of July as we 
were just finishing breakfast we were startled by the cry, "Land all around." Rush- 
ing to the deck we found that in the fog and through an easterly set of the current, 
at the rate of Ij'n miles an hour, we had drifted to the westward of our course 45 
miles in forty-one hours and were in danger of running on shore at the southeast 
cape of St. Lawrence Island. A few minutes more of fog would have shipwrecked 
us. As customary upon such holidays the sailors were given by the officers an extra 
dinner in honor of the day. At 6:.30 a. m. July 5 we passed King Island, five miles 
distant, and at 11 :10 a. m. came to anchor in the midst of the whaling fleet at Port 
Clarence. 

There were at anchor around us 11 whaling steamers and 9 sailing vessels. Soon 
after dropping anchor Messrs. Thornton and Lojip, the two teachers landed at Cape 
Prince of Wales, came on board. It was a great relief to see them looking well and 
to learn that they had had a very prosperous winter. They were disappointed, how- 
ever, in finding that no ladies had been sent up to reenforce their mission. Soon 




5g 
m -; 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



941 



after landing tho captains of the various wlialcrs camo on board for their mail and 
the day passed very rapidly. In the evening- Capt. Hcaly and niystdi' went off to 
the brig Jbram Barker toseo Mr. J. B. Vincent, third ntatc, with regard to procur- 
ing domestic reindeer. I had hoped to ' e able to enii)l(>y Mr. Vincent, but found 
that he could not be relieved from hispresent engagement until the ship returned to 
San Francisco in the fall. On .July 6 Mr. Vincent came aboard the cutter and spent 
the whole forenoon in discussing with me plans for procuring reindeer. In the 
afternoon I went asliore and visited the large number of natives that were camped on 
the beach. 

On the 7th anchor was weighed and the ship started for Cape Prince of Wales, 
having on board 170 natives with their eight umniaks in tow behind. Diiring the 
d.ay the natives on board gave an exhibition of some of their dances. At 5 p. m. we 
anchored off the cape, and the natives were immediately set to work with their 
umniaks, taking on shore 18J tons of coal and the su^iply of provisions for the mis- 
sion, which was completed by 9 o'clock that evening. The supjtlies, with the excep- 
tion of the coal, were then carried by the natives from the beach to the mission 
house, which kept them at work until about 2 o'clock in the morning. 

On the forenoon of the 8th my time was spent on shore, inspecting the mission and 
the village, and at 1 o'clock that afternoon the whole Aillage was invited off to the 




An Eskimo undergrouud house. Point Hope, Alaska. 

ship. Messrs. Thornton and Lopp called the school children to the cutter and gave 
an exhibition of what their schools could do in arithmetic, language, and singing, 
after which there was a race of 12 umniaks from the beach to the ship and return, 
the winner to receive as a prize three pails full of ship biscuit, the second best, two, 
and the third, one. After this the people were assembled on deck, the officers of the 
ship being in full uniform, and Capt. Healy gave them a talk with regard to tem- 
perance, school matters, etc., ending with appointing ten policemen whose duty it 
should be to assist the teachers in preserving order and looking after school attend- 
ance. The chief of the police was Er-a-he-na and his assistant, Kitmeesuk. The 
others were Tiongmok, Ootiktok, Teredloona, KaLiwhak, Weahoua, AVeaklseok, 
Kartayak, and Maana. The tlrst chief, for his year's wages, was to receive three 
sacks of flour, the second two, and the others one each. Capt. Healy presented each 
f>f them with a unifoim cap. Three rounds of blank shells w^ere then fired from the 
20-pound howitzer, to impress the natives with the power of the ship. When the 
shell struck the water miles away and threw a large colunm of water high in the 
air, many were the exclamations of astonishment. 

From July 8 to July 26 the time was spent mostly upon the coast of Siberia, in 
prosecuting further inquiries with regard to domestic reindeer, of which an account 
will be given later on in this report. 



942 



EDUCATION REPORT, 1890-91. 



Upon going on deck on the morning of July 26, I found that we had just passed 
through Bering Strait and. were in the Arctic Ocean. To the south of us the 
strait lay like a panorama, Cape Prince of Wales its eastern boundary, East Cape 
its western, and the two IJiomede Islands in the center, all being plainly visible. To 
the right of us, looking back, loomed up on the horizon the snow-covered mountains 
of Asia, to the left of us those of America. The ocean was as smooth as a mill-pond. 
Late in the evening two umniak loads of natives came off to the ship. The day had 
been a charming one of quiet and sunshine. 

On theniorniugof the 27th we anchored off Cape Blossom at Kotzebue Sound, and 
soon after 300 natives were on tlie decks of the vessel, and a keen barter was had 
between the furs of the natives and the Hour, powder, caps, muslin, and tobacco of 
the ship. 

At 11 :45 a. m. on the 2Sth anchor was weighed and the ship started for Cape 
Thompson, 75 miles distant. 

At 5:35 a. m. on the 29th we dropped anchor abreast of Cape Thompson, and the 
ship's boats were at once lowered to water ship. Cape Thompson is one of the great 
bird rookeries of tlie Arctic. The early morning calls and cries of the myriad birds 
on the face of the cliffs sound on the deck of the ship, half a mile away, like the 
escape of steam from a railroad engine at the depot. Some of the officers went on 




Eskimo monuments to tlie dead. [From Christian Herald. ] 

shore hunting. At 5 in the afternoon anchor was liove and the ship got under way 
for Point Hope, where wc anchored abreast of the schoolhouso at 9:15 p.m. As 
late as was the hour, several umniaks full of natives came on board to request the 
captain to take off their hands a sailor who the previous season deserted from one 
of the whaling shijts and during the winter had frozen his feet so badly that they 
had mortitied and would need to be amputated. The ship's physician was sent off 
to see the man with the frozen feet. Early the following day the physician returned 
to the ship, bringing the sick man with him. After breakfast I went on shore to 
inspect the school. Dr. Driggs, the teacher, reported that all the children of the 
village between the ages of 5 and 21, with the exception of three married girls, had 
been in school during the past winter; that the best attendance was on the stormi- 
est days, as then the children would not be required to go out uijon the ice to fish. 
The village has a present population of 161. These are only about one-half of those 
■who belong there, the others being scattered through the country for a living, the 
food supply having been very scant at the village. The coldest weather experienced 
during the previous winter at the village, where the climate is moderated by the 
ocean, is 31° below zero. Back from the village a few miles inland the cold was 
much more severe. The longest time during which the sun did not appear above 
the horizon was twenty-four days. During the spring Polar white bear prowled 
around the schoolhouse. In May the teacher had a battle with a large bear in front 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 943 

of his lioiise. During tho afternoon, in company with the teacher, I visited the 
native village. 

On the- ;^lst of July tlie captain received ou board a deserter by the nameof Wil- 
liam Brown, who the previous winter, through exposure, had frozen his feet and 
hands, necessitating the amputation of his left leg at the ankle and tliree fingers of 
his left hand. He was covered with vermin and greatly reduced in strength by star- 
vation and neglect. Stephen Cushi, a minor, crippled with rheumatism, was also 
taken on board for treatment and taken out of the country. At noon on the Ist of 
August we weighed anelnn* and started for the coal mines, 42 miles distant, and at 
7 :15 came to anelKU- oft" tho north si(h»- of Cape Lisbon. At midnight the captain and 
some of the officers went ashore, and in a very short time returned with 50 to 60 ptar- 
magin. We met much lloating ice. 

At 3 p. m. on the 3d of August the ship got under way for tho coal mines at 
Cape Sa])ine. Picking our way through large masses of heavy drifting ice, we 
reached the cape and dropped anchor at 7 o'clock. We were surrounded with ice 
during tho 4th and 5th, when, the ice becoming too heavy, the ship got under way 
at 4:40 a.' m. on the 5th, standing northwest towards tho ice pack. At 6 p. m., in 
the midst of large fields of broken ice, we came upon hundreds of walrus. A boat 
was lowered and the captain and surgeon went after them and soon came back with 
four large ones, which were hoisted on board. During the 6th the shiji stood ott" 
and on along tho edge of the ice pack, speaking several whalers during the day. 
Upon the 8th the ship returned to the shore, .inchoring oft' the Thetis coal mine at 
3:25 p.m. Ou the morning of August 9 three deserters from the whaler i?osario 
were discovered on the beach, brought on board, and placed in ir(ms. At 10:15 a. m. 
anchor was weighed and the ship sailed northward, pushing its way through the 
heavy floating ice. At 5:40 p. m. on the 10th the shij) was stopped a short time to 
see some natives oft' Wainwright Inlet. On the 11th tlie vessel anchored at midnight 
otf Point Belcher. In the early morning Mr. L. M. Stevenson, the teacher from 
Point Barrow, who had come down the coast 70 miles across the ice, came on board. 
In the afternoon Mr. Frank Goteh, of the Eefiige Station, arrived. TJie same day 
Samuel Benny, a deserter from the whaler liosario, was brought before Capt. Healy, 
accused t)f having stolen from the natives. The charge having been substantiated, 
and the man being a disreputable and desperate character, he was detained on board 
the vessel. Mr. Stevenson, the teacher, mentioned that during the spring, when 
the natives were out upon the ice floe after walrus, one of the school girls, who was 
driving a team of dogs witli a load of whalebone from tho edge of the ice to the 
Village, being taken sick upon the way, her father w;inted to leave her upon the ice 
to die, as was the custom with the natives under similar circumstances, but that 
her school companions resisted him, and, taking off their own lur coats, matle a 
warm bed for her on top. of the sled load of whalebone, and thus brought her safely 
into the village — one of the incidental fruits of the little schooliugthat they had had. 

From August 12 to 23 Ave lay at anchor against the groat southern edge of the Arc- 
tic ice pack, watching for the chance to get farther north, hoping a gale would 
spring np from the east that would open a channel for the ship, but it did not come, 
and we were unable to reach Point Barrow. On the 14th two natives, Mary and 
Charlie, who had previously been employed as interpreters, were received on board, 
to be returned to their friends at St. Michael. The school supplies intended for 
Point Barrow were landed at Point Belcher. On the 16th Lieut. Jarvis and Dr. Call 
and Engineer Falkenstein were sent on an exploring expedition to examine a sound 
and harbor which had been reported to the captain. They were found, however, to 
be too shallow to be of any service. On the 17th Capt. Healy, learning that a 
strange iron steamer had gone north that morning, concluded to follow her up, and 
for that purpose boldly pushed forward into the i ce ti eld. After proceeding north some 
10 miles or more in the fog, fearing that he would miss the vessel, he steamed clear 
of the ice and anchored at 3:30 p. m. Toward evening, the fog lifting, the steamer 
was seen working her way out of the ice from the north. At 7:35 p. m. the Bear 
weighed anchor and steamed out to meet theunknown vessel, which was found to be 
a small Japanese iron steamer, the Tsnri Marie, of Tokio, that had been chartered 
at Yokohama by a Mr. Carroll, of Carrollton, Md., who was on a bridal trip around 
the world, and, with a yachting party, had come into the Arctic hunting walrus and 
Polar bear. Ignorant of their danger, they had driven their steamer into the ice. 
thinking they could force a way up to Point Barrow. The two steamers came 
to anchor at 9:55 p. m., and Mr. and Mrs. Carroll and party came over to the Bear to 
call. 

August 23: Fresh ice was now forming every day upon the ocean. The ridging of 
the ship was covered with ice, and daily there were fresh flurries of sleet and hail. 
All hope of reaching Point Barrow- being abandoued, at 9 :15 a. m. anchor was weighed 
and the ship turned southward, slowly forcing its way through great masses of hro- 
ken ice. At 3:10 p.m. the fog was so dense that it was thought best to drop anchor 
for the night. On the 24th the ship was still at anchor at Wainwright Inlet in the 



944 EDUCATION REPORT, 1890-91. 

midst of heavy snow squalls. At 7 in the morning anchor was weighed and another 
start made through large lields of broken ice. At 11 p. m. schooner John McCullough, 
that had on b' ard material lor the school and mission house at Point Barrow, was 
sighted. As it would be impossible for it to reach there this season, I went aboard 
and gave the captain permission to land his material at Cape Prince of Wales. On 
the morning of the 25th we were oft" Corwin Coal Mine, where the captain took in a 
sujiply of fresh water. At 6.20 p. m. we Avere again under way going south, and on 
the 17th, in the midst of a dense fog, made the coast of Siberia. At 6 o'clock on the 
evening of August 29, a short stop was made at Cape Prince of Wales, and the last 
mail of the teachers to their friends was received on board. 

At 9 a. m., August 20, we lelt the cape for King Island, where we anchored at 4:25 
p.m. After leaving Cape Prince of Wales, upon going on deck to take a last view 
of the mission, I saw the mountain, at the base of which lies the village, encircled 
with a beautiful rainbow. At King Island Dr. Call and Engineer Falkcnstein went 
on shore to explore a remarkable cave in which the natives store their jjrovisions. 
Providing themselves with ropes, candles, and a lantern, they ajjproached the cave 
in the face of the cliff, a few hnnderd feet east of the village. The water extends in 
some 20 feet from the shore to the mouth of the cave, but, owing to the swell from 
the ocean, the boat could not enter. Hurriedly jumping on the rocks, they clam- 
bered over the sides to the entrance. The first obstacle that confronted them was an 
immense cake of ice, with a perpendicular face, jammed between the two sides of 
the entrance, each of which was equally inaccessible for them. After sca' era! unsuc- 
cessful attempts to scale it, they appealed to the guide, who clambered over the ice 
with the agility of a monkey and canned their line with him. Even with the assist- 
ance of the rope they Jound considerable difiQculty in following him. They were 
then in the main chamber of the cave. In height it is 30 or 40 ieet, and 25 ieet in 
width. The floor was very uneven and full of holes. Scattered about over this 
slii)pery surface were strewn the remains of walrus bones, skins, and blubber. This, 
mixed with the yellow clay, presented a most unlavorabie aspect. In the left- 
hand corner of this immense cavern they saw a hole which could easily be mis- 
taken for an exit to the top of the monntaiu. To reach it seemed impossible. Re- 
ferring to their guide, he demanded the promise of more pay, in addition to the 
pants which they had agreed to give him for his services, exclaiming with much 
force, "King Charlie cow-cow pechuk" (King Charlie has but little food). The 
ascent to the hole was found to be almost perpendicular. The iirst 15 or 20 feet 
were made by meiins of climbing a rope which the natives had fastened under a 
large rock jammed in the crevice some distance above, and linally overanother bowl- 
der, when they stood in the direct entrance of anotlur part of the cave. Lighting 
their candles and niakingfast the line, two of them with the guide descended through 
a narrow crack, the floor of Avhich was solid ice. To assist in coming down, steps 
had been cut out, and the drijiping of Avater from aboA'e had formed little pinnacles 
of ice which ansAvered as stejts for their feet. Soon they found themselves in amost 
beautiful and interesting part of the cave. The chamber was pyramidal in shape, 
the peaks extending upward 40 or 50 feet. The Avails were cA^ery where covered with 
miniature icicles, moisture irozen in the most fantastic shapes, appearing like a 
mass of diamonds. The floor was solid ice, out of Avhich chambers were excavated 
from 10 to 15 feetin depth and from 6 to 10 feet in diameter and used for cold storage. 
The party having on skin boots which had become slijipery from traveling over the 
Ice ana grease, were obliged to exercise the greatest precaution to keep from fall- 
ing into these holes. The return was far more difficult and dangerous, but was made 
without any serious accident. The cave is used by the villagers for the storing of 
walrus, which they kill in winter and use for their food in summer. They were also 
told that it was used at one time as a rendezvous in times of attack from warriors off 
the coast. At present there is no communication between the toj) of the island or 
the village and the cave, and the caA^e contained but few pieces of walrus meat. 

At 7:20 p. m. the ship got uuderAvay for St. Michael, reaching there at 12:55p.m., 
September 1. At St. Michael, Mr. J. E. McGrath, of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic 
Survey, with W. W. Davis, his assistant, and party of six men, who had been en- 
gaged in the international boundary snrA^ey at the crossing of the Yukon and Por- 
cupine rivers, were waiting for transportation to the south, and were receiA'ed on 
board. During the day of September 2, while the goods of the exploring party 
were being shipped, a seAere gale sprang up, and the shi]i had to steam out to Egg 
Island for deeper water and shelter. Returning to St. Michael on the 3d, Ave took 
on board all the surA'eying party, also Mr. "William A. D. Hass, of the Frank Leslie 
exploring expedition, and Mr. U. E. Taggart and James Chaplyn, destitute miners, 
and at 7:15 p. m. the ship was again luiderway for King Island. At noon, Septem- 
ber 4, we passed Sledge Island, with a northeast gale behind us. The gale increas- 
ing in the evening, the captain hove to, but during the night drifted far north and 
west of King Island. On the morning of the 5th, returning to the island, and flud- 
ing it too rough to land, the captain steamed back to Port Clarence for harbor. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 945 

About 7:15 a. m. September (> tbo sliip ancborod o(i' Kinjj Isbuid, and Capt. Ilealy 
diatributcd tc tbo, natives, wbo wero in a Btaiving condition, 100 sacks of Hour, 1 
chest of tea, 9 boxes of ])iiot bread, G barrels of bread, and 7 barrels of flour. At 
1:05 p. in. wo started for Indiiin Point, reaebiny there at 9:15 a. ni. on Sei)t(iiiber 7. 
The following week was spent iii j)rocuriug reindeer, and on the 17th of Septem- 
ber, at 12:10 o'clock in the morning, we anchored in the large harbor of IJnalaska. 
In the harbor were the U. S. S. Mohican, the L'ksIi, Alki, the American shij) Erickmn, 
H. B. M. S. Kjimphe; also the steamer C'o.s/« Rica, from N'ictoria, also the steamer Dan- 
ube from Victoria, all connected with the Bering Sea difticulty. On the 21st of Sep- 
tember, through the courtesy of Capt. Coulson, commanding, I was received on 
board the revenue steamer Rush, and at 6:45 a. m. on the 22d we weighed anchor for 
San Francisco, reaching there on the forenoon of October 2. On October 3 the start 
was made for Washiugtou, Avhich was reached ou the 8th, having made 16,997 miles 
during the season. 

INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER. 

Upon my return to Washington last fall I had the honor on November 12 to address 
you a iireliminary report of the season's work, emjihasizing the destitute condition 
of the Alaskan Eskimo. 

Outhe 5th of December this report was transmitted by you to the Seci'etary of the 
Interior for his information, and ou the 15th transmitted to the Senate by Hon. George 
Chandler, Acting- Secretary of the Interior. On the foUoAviug day it was referred 
by the Senate to the Committee ou Education aud Labor. 

On the 19th of December, Hon. Loui* E. McComas, of Maryland, introduced into 
the House of Representatives a .joint resolution (H. R. No. 258), providing that the 
act of Congress, ai)proved March 2, 1887, "Au act to establish agricultural experi- 
ment stations in connection with the colleges established in the several States under 
the provisions of au act approved July 2, 1862. and of the acts supplementary there- 
to" and an act ap])roved August 30, 1890, entitled ''An act to apply a portion of the 
proceeds of the i)ublic Jands to the more complet<i endowment and support of the 
colleges for the Itenelit of agriculture aud the mechanic arts, established under the 
provisions of an act of Congress approved July 2, 1862," should be extended by the 
Secretary of the Interior over Alaska, with the expectaticm that the purchase, im- 
provement, and management of domestic reindeer should be made a part of the indus- 
trial education of the proposed college. 

The resolution was referred to the Committee on Education, and on the 9th of 
January, 1891, reported back to the House of Representatives for passage. 

It was, however, so near the close of the short term of Congress that the resolution 
was not reached. 

When it became apparent that it would not be reached in the usual way, the Hon. 
Henry M. Teller, on the 26th of February moved an amendment to the bill (H. R. 
No. 13462) making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for 
the year ending June 30, 1892, appropriating $15,000 for the introduction of domestic 
reindeer into Alaska, which was carried. The appropriation failed to receivo the 
concurrence of the conference committee of the House of Representatives. 

Ujton the failure of the Fifty-tirst Congress to take action, aud deprecating the 
delay of twelve months before another attempt could be made, with your approval, 
I made an appeal in the Mail and Express of New York City, the Boston Transcript, 
the Philadelphia Ledger, the Chicago Interocean, aud Washington Star, as well as 
in a number of the leading religious newspapers -of the- cpuutry, for contributions to 
this object. The response was prompt and generous; $2,146 were received. 

As the season had arrived for the usual visit of inspectiou and supervision of tlie 
schools in Alaska you were kiu<l enough to direct that in addition to my regnlat 
work for the schools, I should continue in charge of the work of transplantiug do- 
mesticated reindeer from Siberia to Alaska. As the natives of Siberia, who own the 
reindeer, know nothing of the use of money, an assortment of goods for the purpose 
of barter for the reindeer was procured from the funds so generously contributed by 
benevolent ])eople in answer to the appeal through the newspapers. 

The hcmorable Secretary of the Treasury issued instructions to Capt. flealy to 
furnish me every ])ossible facility for the purchase ami transportation of reindeer 
from Siberia to Alaska. The houoraljle Secretary of State secured from the Russian 
Government instructions to their ofticers ou the Siberian coast, also, to render what 
assistance they could. 

The proposition to introduce domesticated reindeer into Alaska had excited wide- 
spread and general interest In the public discussions which arose with regard to 
the scheuK^ a sentiment was found iu some circles that it was impracticable; that on 
account of the superstitions of the natives they would be unwilling to sell their stock 
alive; further, that the nature of the reindeer was such that he would not bear ship 
transportation, and also that even if they could be purchased and safely transported 



946 



EDUCATION REPORT, 1890-91. 



the native dogs outhe Alaskan coast would destro 5^ or the natives killtheui for food. 
This feeling, which was held by many intelligent white men, was asserted so strongly 
and positively that it was thought best the first season to make haste slowlj', and 
instead of purchasing a large number of reindeer to possibly die on shipboard, or 
perhaps to bo destroyed by the Alaskan dogs (thus at the Aery outset prejudicing 
the scheme), it was cfecme*! wiser; and safer to buy only a few. 

Therefore, in the time available from other educational duties during the season 
of 1891, it seemed important that 1 should again carefully review the ground and 
secure all possible aclditional information with regard to the reindeer, and, while 
delaying tlie actualestablishment of a herd until another season, that I should deter- 
mine the correctness of the objections that the natives would not sell and the deer 
•would not bear transportation by actually purchasing and transporting them. 

The work was so new and untried that many things could only be found out by 
actual experience. 

First. The wild deermen of Siberia arc a very superstitious people, and need to 
he approached with great wisdom and tact. 

Upon one occasion, when Capt. Healy purchased a few reindeer for food, the fol- 
lowing ceremonies were observed: When getting ready to lasso the deer the owner's 
-family seated themselves in a circle on tlie ground, where probably some rites con- 
nected with their supeistitions were observed. Upon attempting to apjiroach the 
circle, I was motioned away. After a short time the men went out and lassoed a 
selected animal, which was led to one side of the herd. The man that was leading 
him stationeil himself directly in front of the animal and held him firmly l)j' the two 
horns. Another, witli a butcher knife, stood at the side of tlie deer. An old man, 
probably the owner, went oft' to the eastward, and placing his back to the setting 
un seemed engaged in prayer, upon the conclusion of which he turned around and 




l^t tKore 






Superstitious ceremony counecteil with killiug or selling reindeer in Siberia. 

faced the deer. This was the signalfor knifing the animal. With appurently no 
effort, the knife was pushed to the heart and withdrawn. The animal seemed to 
suffer no pain, and in a few seconds sank to his knees and rolled over on his side. 
While this was taking place the old man before mentioned stood erect and motion- 
less, with his hand over his eyes. When the deer was dead he approached, and 
taking a handful of hair and blood from the wound, impressively tlircAV it to the 
eastward. This was repealed a second time. Upon the killing of the second ani- 
mal, the wife of the owner cast the hair and blood to the eastward. 

Since then I have often observed the man who Avas selling a deer pluck some hair 
*from the deer and put it in his pocket or throAv it to the winds for good luck. 

If a.man should sell us a deer, and the following winter an epidemic break out in 
his herd, or some calamity befall his family, the shamans would make him believe 
that his bad luck was all due to the sale of the deer. 

Second. The Siberian deermen are a nonprogressive people. They have lived for 
ages outside of the activities and progress of the world. As the fathers did, so 
continue to do their children. 

Now, they liaA-e never before beei->. asked to sell their deer; it is a new thing to 
them, and they do not know what to make of it. They were suspicious of our 
designs. And in reference to this state of mind I have found that being on a Gov- 
ernment vessel has been of great assistance. It impresses the natives with confidence, 
that they Avill be treated honorably and justly. This moral effect was so great that 
we secured results that otherwise could not have been obtained so easily. 

Then, Capt. Healy, connnander of the Bear, is well known for thousands of miles 
on both sides of the coast, and the natives have confidence in him. With a stranger 
in command I am confident that but little Avould have been accomplished in the sum- 
mer of 1891. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



947 



Purchasing reindeer in Siberia is very difTereut from going to Texas and buying a 
herd of cattle. In Texas siicli a sale eould be consununated in a few ininntes or hours. 
I}ut in Siberia it takes both time and patience. 

I'pou tlio aiielioriiig of the sliip in the vicinity of a settlement the natives flock 
aboard, bringing skins and fius tocxchangoforllonr, cotton cloth, powder, lead, etc. 

Once aboard they expect to lie fed by the captain, and bucket after bucket of hard 
bread is distributed among them. They kno\v])erfectly well that we are after rein- 
deer, but nothing is said about it. They have to be feasted first. They are never 
in a hurry and therefore do not see avIiv we should ]h\ 

After a little, small i)resents are Judiciously given to the wife or child of a leading 
man. and when every one is in good humor a few of the leaders are taken into the 
pilot-house and the main subject is opened. After much discussion and talking all 




Ran-eu-ka. 

[The first Siberi.-iii to soil a reiudeer for the Alaska herd, 1801. Piiblislied by permission of The Cali- 

fornian.l 



aronnd the subject one man is ready to sell twenty and .another perhaps only two. 
After all is arranged the leading men send their servants oft' after the deer, which 
may be in the vicinity or four or five days' journey away. Sometimes these delays 
consume a week or more at a place. 

Another difticulty arises from the fact that they can not under-stand what we waiit 
of the reiudeer. They have uo knowledge of such a motive as doing good to others 
without pay. 

As a rule the men with the largest herds, who can best afford to sell, are inland 
and difficult to reach. 

Then business selKshness comes in. The introduction of the reindeer on the Ameri- 
can side may to some extent injuriously ah'ect their trade in deer skins. From time 



948 



EDUCATION REPORT, 1890-91. 



imraomorial they Laye been accustomed to take their skins to Alaska and exchange 
them for oil. To e.stablish herds in Alaska will, they fe.ar, ruiu this business. 

Another difficulty experieuced -was the impossibilityof securing a counietent inter- 
preter. 

A few of the natives of the Siberian coast have spent one or more seasons on a 
whaler,aud thiis picked up a very little English. And upon this class we have been 
dependent in the past. 

It is very desirable that a native young man should be secured and trained as an 
interpreter, who could be employed regularly, year after year. 

However, notwithstanding all these difficulties and delays, Capt. Healy with the 
J5ertr coasted from 1,200 to 1,500 miles, calling at the various villages and holding 
conferences with the leading reindeer owners on the Siberian coast. Arrangements 
were made for the purchase of animals the followiug season. Then, to answer the 
questiou whether reindeer could be purchased and transported alive, sixteen were 




Ko-har-ra, tlie Richest Native in N. E. Siberia. 
[From a photograph hy Dr. S. .T. Call.] 

purchased, kept on shipboard for some three weeks, passing through a gale so severe 
that the ship had to " lie to," and finally lauded in good condition at Amaknak 
Island, in the harbor of Unalaska, having'had a sea voyage of over 1,000 miles. 

While at Port Clarence, on July 6 we met a Siberian native who understood a little 
English, having spent a few summers ou a whaling ship. His name was Shoofly. 
We secured his services as interpreter to the deermen, but when we were ready to 
sail he was not to be found. 

At 6 :25 p. m. on July 9, leaving our anchorage off the A-illage of Cape Prince of Wales, 
we started for Asia. Swinging around by Fairway Rock, we sailed through Bering 
Straits north of the Diomede Islands, reaching the village at East Cape Siberia at 1 :20 
on the morning of the 9th. Comiufj upon deck 1 found that many natives had come 
aboard. Among them was one that had a little smattering of English. Inquiries 
were immediately made for reindeer. We had been informed that Ave would find 
some deermeu at East Cape, but now that we had reached the place we were 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 949 

informed that there were very sm:ill hoards around thera, but that north, at Cape 
Serdzo Kamen, 100 miles distant on the Arctic coast, there were larjjjo herds. Last 
season, havintf made inquiries at the native vilhme at Indian I'oint, and receivinf? 
assurances that they wouhl sell deer, and there beinjj a number of natives at that 
point that understood some English, the captain concluded to go there first. Con- 
sequently, at 9:30 a. m., the anchor was weighed, and wo started for the ])oint, 150 
miles south. Around iis was a field of floating ice, through which we had to pick 
our way. 

At 2.30 p. m. we wore at Cape Nuuiagnio, that marks the northern (entrance to St. 
I^awrenco Bay. In this bay, during tlio winter of 1881-82, the U. S. S. liogers,which 
had been sent in searcli of the Jvaninlte, burned to the water's edge. At 4 p. m. we 
passed Cape Krleougouue, the Houthernheadland of St. Lawrence Bay, back of which 
snowy mountains rise 3,407 feet. This high and steep capo is crowned with a cluster 
of sharp peaks, which makes it a noted landmark. At 8 p. m. Cape Nygtchigane 
came in view Avith eight or ten snow-covered peaks clustered back of it in a semi- 
circle, Seniaviue Straits to the southwest, lying between the main coast and Ara- 




A TYPICAL ESKIMO WOMAN. 
[Shoiving native dress and ear and lip ornaments.) 

kamtchetchene Island, were still closed with ice. These straits were named after 
his ship by Capt. Lntke, the explorer. It is remarkable that these straits, as well 
as St. Lawrence Bay, are deeper than the adjacent sea. This depth is separated 
from the shallower, open sea by a bank that has still less water upon it, so fhat 
soundings tirst decrease and then increase Avhen approaching the coast. At 3 o'clock 
on the morning of July 10 Ave anchored otf Indian Point. Tlie village had been vis- 
ited by twenty-four whalers previous to our arrival. Soon a number of the natives 
came on board, among them being Ko-har-ra, the leading man of the A'illage. After 
breakfast the captain and myself had a long conference with him concerning the 
purchase of reindeer, and a proposition was made to take his Avhole herd of one hun- 
dred. He declined our offer, pleading as an excuse that he Avas keeping his herd for 
a time of need; that if, any season, tlio walrus and seal should fail him, he Avould 
need his herd to keep the people of the village from starving. He oti'ered to make 
the captain a present of two, but Avould not sell any. Finally, Ave came down in our 
requests, but received no encouragement. 
About 11 o'clock the party abruptly took their departure, Ko-har-ra claiming that 



950 EDUCATION REP^KT, 1890-91. 

he wislied. to consult his son. In tbo <afternoon, with several of the officers, I "went 
on shore to visit the village. At the highest part of the ridge, parallel to the north- 
ern beach, were ruins oi from tweuty-tivo to thirty old houses, the frames of which 
had been constructed of the lower jaw-bone of the whale. In Ko-har-ra's storehouse, 
which was the only frame house in the village, I counted 200 sacks of flour and 80 
boxes of tobacco ; also a head of walrus, boue, worth from $.5,000 to $8,000. Another 
interview was had with Ko-har-ra, Avhich resulted in his refusing to sell any of his 
deer. In the evening another party came aboard, from whom we received some hope 
that we might be able to jiurchase a few the following September, Avhen they would 
be driven down to the coast in Peukegnci Bay, on Senaviue Straits. They all testitied 
that but few could be had in that neighborhood, but that along the shores of Holy 
Cross Bay, at the head of Anadyr Gulf, there were large numbers of reindeer close to 
the beach. No one expressed a doubt or an intimation of the natives being unwill- 
ing to sell, through superstitious notions, but somehow or other we failed to get any. 
But the people of the region, so far visited, only owned small bands, ranging from 
twenty-live to one hundred, and they did not wish to part with them. 

We were also at a great disadvantage in our communications with them for the 
want of a suitable interpreter. The natives could not comprehend why we wanted 
them. Several of them expressed their opinion that the deer would not live on St 
Lawrence Island, where we at that time intended to place them. They also claimed 
that the deer would not go over forty-eight hours without food, and wanted to know 
what we intended feeding them on the ship while in transit. However, that night, 
from the last i)arty of visitors, we secured, through Capt. Healj', an old man and a 
boy as interpreters, who agreed to accompany us to Holy Cross Bay. Early the next 
morning our interpreters appeared on deck to decline going, saying that they were 
afraid, alleging that if the ship should go to Holy Cross Bay and not find any deer- 
luen on the beach, or if the natives should refuse to sell their deer, or if the bay 
should be full of ice so that the ship could not get in, the captain would be angry 
and accuse them of lying to him. After repeated assurances of the captain that he 
would not hold them responsible, they went ashore after their clothes and blankets, 
which they brought off in a hair sealskin bag. 

At 11 :30 a. m. on July llwe got under way for Holy Cross Bay, 300 miles inland 
in Siberia. From Indian Point the coast of Siberia trends in a general southwest 
direction to Cape Choukotzki and then turns sharply to the northwest. At this 
cape commences the Gulf of Anadyr, whose entrance across to Ca]ie Thaddeus is 200 
miles. Counting the distance across the entrance the gulf has a circuit of 420 miles, 
and at its northwest extrennty is the Bay of Holy Cross, with a circuit of 180 miles, 
its northern shore being Avithin 10 miles of the Arctic Circle. At 8 p. m. we were off 
the entrance of Plover Bay, wliere the British ship Plover, Capt. Moore command- 
ing, in search of Sir John Franklin, wintered in 1848-49. In view of the necessity 
of transporting the reindeer so great a distance, should we secure any at Holy 
Cross Bay, the question of food was carefully considered. We had couhdently ex- 
pected to secure them near Indian Point, only a few hours' sail from St. Lawrence 
Island, in which case there would be no need of feeding them ; but if wo secured any 
at Holy Cross Bay it would require a trip of from thirty to forty-eight hours, and in 
that case the food question became important. An inventory of the stores on board 
revealed some 10^^ pounds of oatmeal in the captain's pantry, 24 pounds in the offi- 
cers' mess, a few pounds in the engineer's department, and about 60 pounds in the sail- 
ors' stores. It was agreed to purchase these and mix with the drinking water of the 
animals if secured. 

At 8 :4.5 o'clock a. m. on July 2 we were off Cape Bering in a fog, when ice sud- 
denly appeared under the bows of the ship, and the heart of the officer on deck stood 
still, thinking that he was ashore. We then entered a large field of broken ice. The 
speed was slowed down and several hours were spent in picking our way through 
the ice. In the afternoon clear water was again reached, and at 5:35 p. m., there 
being no evidence of land and the fog continuing thick, the anchor was let go in 11 
fathoms of water. The next day continuing rainy and foggy, the ship continued at 
anchor until 8 :20 p. m., when tlie wind increased and the captain concluded to make 
an effort to get inside of Holy Cross Bay. We were in the proximity of land, in 
strange waters, with imperfect charts. The ship was sarrouuded with floating ice; 
the night was very dark, with a cold, driving rain storm, and we almost ran ashore. 
However, we got inside and were at anchor about midnight. Holy Cross Bay was 
first entered by a vessel in 1827, when Capt. Lutke made a reconnoissance. Proba- 
bly the Bear was the first steamer ever to plow its waters. 

About 10 o'clock on the morning of the 14th three or four umniaks full of natives 
came off from a village of sixteen tents or yourts on the sandy beach. They were 
all large-sized and a healthy but dirty looking set. The afternoon was spent in 
securing fresh water for the ship. Diligent inquiries were made for reindeei', and 
two men were found who sold five each, but their deer Avere on the west side of the 
bay, which (ould not be reached until the ice should move, and the ice would not 
move until the wind changed. For ten days the wind had been in the east and 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 951 

southeast and kept tho ieo piled u]) against the west shore. Jnst as we wore finish- 
ing breakl'ast on the morning oftheir)th theannouncciniint was made that a "pod" 
of waliiis was visible. Going upon deck, some lll'ty ov more were seen swinuning 
in a lino toward the ship. A boat was at once loweicd and the captain and surgeon 
with a boat's erew started to iuteroe])t them. Several were shot, but only two se- 
cured. A baby walrus weighing about ~iO() ])()unds was also shot, but while getting 
it into the boat the rope slijiped and the animal went to the l>ottom as if it were 
made of load. Throe unmiaks came oil' fioui slioro and were sent out to help bring 
in the walrus. When brouglit to tho side they were hoisted by the steam windhiss 
(lu (leek. The skin and hides were ]>reserved and tiie carcasses divided ui> anumg 
the natives. Tho heart and liver were reserved for eating on the ship and proved 
to be very palatable. The walrus ejtisode heljied ])ass away the day. 

Alter a tedious wait for better weatjier, on the 17th of July anchor was weighed 
at 4:10 a. }u. A few minutes afterwards wo entered tho ice, into wiiich wo pushed 
until we came abreast of a Tuchtchi village on the west side of the bay, where the 
ship dro])ped anchor. The ioe tloe causing tho anchor to drag, it was again hoisted 
nj) and wc steamed a few miles farther north through the ice, anchoring at U :30 a. m. 
in comparatively clear water. A boat in charge of Lieut, .larvis was started toward 
the shore, but the wind freshening and the sea being rough, the captain recalled tho 
boat with tho steam whistle. Parties of natives were seen on shore, but none came 
of!" through the ice to the steamer. After breakfast on the moi'ning of the 18th we 
made another attempt to reach shore. Moving cautiously through a large field of 
floating ice we at length got on terra firma, and a walk of 4 or 5 miles brought us to 
two native huts. TTpou reaching them we found only the women and children at 
home, the men having passed us on the way to the ship. We tliereforo retraced 
our stops to the beach and signaled for a boat. Eeturning to the ship we found 
two umniak loads of natives on board. One of them agreed to furnish us next year 
twenty -five deer at the rate of live for a rifle and twenty for a whale boat. They 
jiromised us that they would secure some two hundred head for ns the following 
season, driving them down to the beach the middle of July. 

Having accomplished everything that we could, at 8 p.m. anchor was weighed 
and the ship steamed out through the drifting ice. The natives sat a little way off 
in their umniaks, watching the movements of the first steamer that many of them 
had ever seen. During the night the vessel plowed through fields of heavy ice from 
Cape Spanberg to Cape Tchingan. Tho coast was bold and beautiful, consisting of 
perpendicular rocks. On the evening of the 17th wo passed two or three small 
Tchutchi villages, the largest of which Avas at John Howland Bay. At 10 o'clock 
the sunset was remarkably flue. Another hour brought us to anchoi'ago in Plover 
Bay, but the fog became so thick that the captain did not venture to attempt to 
make the bay, but lay olf at sea all night. At 3 a.m., July 20, the fog lifted and the 
siiip niaile for Plover Bay, which is a fiord about 2 miles Avide and 20 miles long, 
extending into the very heart of the mountains, whose precipitous sides rise to the 
height of from 1,200 to 1,500 feet. Passing betAvecn Capes Lessouski and Bald Head, 
sailing past a small village situated on tho sand spit an<l around Capo Haidmak, the 
northwest side of the spit, the ship anchored in Providence Harbor at 6 :30 a.m. This 
little landlocked bay was named by the commander, Moore, of H. M. ship Plover, 
Avho visited it first in search of Sir John Franklin. A short distance up the bay is 
Emma Harbor, where he wintered his ship in 1848-'49. Above Emma Harbor on the 
west side of the bay is Cape Theodorof, overtopped by Mount Kenuicott, 2,343 feet 
high. 

At the upper end of the bay in 1866 the Western Union Telegraph expedition 
erected a house and established a station, it being their purpose to run a la#d wire 
across the cape, connecting the proi)osed cable across Bering Straits with another 
across Anadyr Gulf. Overlooking our anchorage and almost toppling over us on the east 
side of the bay was Mount Slavianka, 1,427 feet high. During the summer of 1866, 
while awaiting supplies at this bay, Mr. 11. J. Bush, in the employ of the telegraph 
company, says that one day, seeing a party of natives gatheied upon the hleak bar- 
ren mountain side back of the village, curiosity led a party from the ship to visit 
the spot. They found about forty peoijle prest;nt, of all ages down to babies. They 
Avere laughing as if at a picnic. On a small level spot had been constructed an 
oblong line of stones about 6 feet in length. Near by a reiiuleer had been killed 
and tho party of Avomen were sprinkling the stones Avith handfnls of tobacco and 
choice bits of deer meat, as if they Avere making a sacrifice to their gods. One of 
the natives who had learned a little English of the Avhalers was called one side and 
asked what was going on. Pointing to an old man in the group, he said, "Old man 
no got eyes. Bynie-by kill um." "But Avhy do you kill him?" Avas asked. "Old 
man like it. Old man plenty of deer. Last year "old man'e son die. He plenty like 
nm son. He Avant die too; he want Tchutchi nuui kill um. All right. Old man 
pickiniuy (grandson) no Avaut to kill um. To-day Tchutchi kill um." "It is bad, 



952 EDUCATION REPORT, 1890-91. 

very bad," one of the party replied. "No bad," be said. "Tchutcbi plenty like 
um. All same every fellow. Byme-by me get old. Kill mo, too. All same." 

It seemed that a day had previously been lixed by the old man to die, but he had 
yielded to the importunities of his grandson, who had begged him to live for his 
sake. In some cases the old person is first made insensible by inhaling something. 
They are then stoned, speared, or bled to death, as the case may be. This was simi- 
lar to the experience of Capt. Healy, who, upon one of his trips to the Arctic, was 
inquiring the whereabouts of a native whom he had met upon former trips. Meet- 
ing a companion, he said to him, "Where is Charlie now?" "Charlie?" he replied; 
"1 shot him last year." "Shot him? How was that?" "Why, Charlie and I were 
great friends. He was taken very sick. One day he sent his boy over to ask me to 
come to see him and to bring my gun aloiig. When I went to see him he said that 
he could not get well and wanted me to shoot him. 1 did not want to. He was my 
friend. So I told him he would be better in a few days, and tried to encourage him; 
but he wanted me as his friend to shoot him to put him out of his misery. To put 
him off I told h.im that if he did not get better in a few days he could send for me 
again and 1 would come over and shoot him. 

"In a few days his boy came to my house and said his father was no better. He 
wanted me as his friend to come and shoot him. So I went over and shot him." It 
seems a very common iiractice among some of the tribes, when a person has an incur- 
able disease or becomes too old for further service in procuring the necessities of life, 
to kill him. The conditions of life are so hard, tlie difficulties of feeding the well 
so great, that no supernumeraries can be allowed in their homes. Last season, visit- 
ing several thousands of miles of this Arctic and semi-Arctic coast, and meeting with 
thousands of natives, I met with but one old person. This season I met but two. 
The almost entire absence of aged persons among the population confirms the accounts 
of the custom of killing the old and infirm. There are years when the fish fail to 
come in their usual number, when the winter supply of walrus and seal fail them, 
and then starvation stares them in the face during the long Arctic winter. Dufing 
the sojourn of the Western Union Telegraph Comi)any in that country in 1866 and 
1867, Mr. Bush speaks of one of these periodic famines, in which, as early as October, 
the ])eople had begun to boil their deerskins into soup. Many of these natives 
sought his advice and assistance. One said, "You know, sir, the winter has hardly 
begun. I have a wife and seven children and seven dogs to support, and not a pound 
of meat or fish to give them. But I have some deerskins and eight fathoms of thong 
that I can boil up. But these are not suiiticient to sustain the family and the dogs 
too until the Tchutchi come with their reindeer. I do not know whereto get more 
food, as my neiglibors are starving too." 

With hesitation and a faltering voice he added, "If luy children perish I will 
have my dogs left, but if my dogs die how can I go to the Tchutchi to get deer? 
Then my family will starve too, and then I will have neither family nor dogs," What 
he wanted Mr. Bush to decide Avas whether it was wiser for him to let his children 
or sled dogs starve, for if the latter starved it would involve tlie starvation of the 
whole family. He was advised to try and keep both as long as possible. Occasionally 
an instance of this destitution and starvation comes under the eye of an intelligent 
white man and is given to the world. But these periodic seasons of starvation come 
and go, and hundreds of hunum beings starve and die, their fate unheeded and 
unknown by the great world outside. To the starving natives of Siberia there is 
always the possibility of the men who oAvn herds of domestic reindeer hearing of their 
straits and coming to their relief. But on the Alaska side, where as yet are no herds of 
domestic reindeer to fall back upon in the dark days of dire necessity, there is noth- 
ing leftafche people but to starve and die. May the day be hastened when tlie efforts 
now making to introduce the domestic reindeer of Siberia into Alaska shall be 
crowned with success and this dying people saved from utter extinction. In nego- 
tiating for the purchase of reindeer on the Siberian coast we constantly met with 
men owning small herds of from five to one hnndi'cd animals. Frequent attempts 
were made to buy these men out, but those along the coast steadily refused to sell, 
on the plea that they must keejt their deer for a time of need; that some years they 
got no walrus or seal (their principal living) and then would need the deer to keep 
their families from starving. 

The day at Plover Bay was spent in watering ship, the water being procured from 
a mountain stream that came out from under a snow bank. After the ship was 
watered the sailors were sent ashore to wash their clothes. Two of the leading 
natives wer« interested and promised good pay if during the coming winter they 
would commuuicate with the deer men and have a number of the reindeer on the 
coast for purchase the following season. It was the intention to leave the harbor 
on the morning of the 21st, but a dense fog having settled down and a storm having 
set in, we were fog-bound in tlie harbor for the three following days. On tlie 24th, 
he fog haviii'v lifted sufficiently to see our way out of the harbor, the anchor wast 
weighed, and we started at 8.20 a.m. Passing around Bald Head, we were soon 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 953 

abreast of ;i village of a dozou huts at the mouth of the small creek that connects 
Lake Moore with the sea. From the sea the hill to the rear of the village presented 
a beautiful green. Soon after passing the village the fog again closed down and 
we sailed apparently through space, seeing nothing until, in the afternoon, St. Law- 
rence Island was seen dimly looming up through the fog. At 5.15 p. ni. anchor was 
let go, and after dinner Lieut. Jarvis and Dr. Call and the iutcrjireter and myself 
went ashore. After making a circuit of the village and consulting several groups 
of the natives, I decided to locate the school building at the eastern end of the vil- 
lage, near the lake. Accordingly, stakes Avere driven for the guidance of the car- 
]ieuter who was daily expected with the materials for the building which ha<l been 
shipped on the schooner from San Francisco. Returning to the ship, Capt. Healy 
bantered one of the Shamans to show his powers. He replied that he could do 
nothing on shipboard. So we proposed to accompany him on shore, the captain, 
making him a present of .some powder, lead, and tobacco. With the rattling of a 
native drum and the monotonous hi-yah-hah chorus of women he pretended to suck 
from the flesh of Dr. Call a piece of sponge and a second time a])ieceof walru8hi<le. 
He then attempted to have two men strangle him with a rope, but could not make 
it work. An assistant Shaman then took up the performance, and held an inch 
board 18 inches by 3 feet in size to his mouth by suction. He also allowed his hands 
to bo manacled behind his back and then work them through and in some way got 
the uuinacles off. It was rather a tame affair. 

At 2:15 on the morning of July 25 we again got under way, reaching Indian Point 
at 9 o'clock. The two interpreters that we had had with us for the last two weeks 
left the ship and returned home. 

About noon we again got under way for the Arctic, returning thence on the 
27th of August. During a densii fog at 9 o'clock in the morning we picked up 
three umniak loads of Siberians, and found that we were near Euchowan, on the 
Arctic coast of Siberia, where we dropped anchor at 10:30 a. m. Lieut. Jarvis and 
Dr. Call were sent ashore to visit the herd, and the next day four deer were deliv- 
ered to us on board the ship. A large number Avere offered us, but having failed in 
procuring herders, and having no place ready to receive the deer, and not knowing 
whether we could procure food such as they woiild eat, Ave thought it prudent to 
expei'iment tirst with the four. At 1 :40 p. m. August 28, 1891, the first reindeer was 
hoisted on board the ship, and thus one of the objections AvhichAve had foundmade, 
that reindeer could not be purchased aliA'e, was answered by actually purchasing 
and receiA'ing them. A second objection, that they could not be safely transported, 
remained to be decided. Anchor Avas Aveighed at 12:30 midnight, and at 4:30 on the 
morning of the 29th we anchored at Whalen. The landing being bad, we got under 
way at 7 :20, passing through Bering Straits at noon, and at 6 :30 ji. m. anchored off 
Cape Prince of Wales. Not Avishing to carry our trade goods back to San Francisco, 
I consigned a number of them to Messrs. Lopp and Thornton for safe-keeping until 
the following year. 

During the night, the sea becoming rough, the captain stopped the landing of 
goods until the morning of the 30th, Avhen they wei'e safely landed. 

At 9 :20 on the morning of the 30th we again got under way, going to St. Michael, 
and returning to Indian Point, Siberia, on the 7th of September, where we anchored 
at 9 :15 a.m. 

At 4:25 the next morning, having taken on board Koharra, the leading deer man 
at the A'illage, and two interpreters, we got under Avay for SeuaAine Straits. At 
5:45 we passed Cape Mortens, a high, steep, mountain, with three summits, 1,014 
feet high. This cape forms the southern limit of Tchetchikouyoume Bay. At 6:12 
a. m. we passed between Nouneangan, a small rocky islet rising perpendicularly 
from the sea 80 feet, then sloping up to an elevation of 386 feet, and Tchirklook, an 
island 6 by 3 miles in extent, and crowned with a number of peaks ranging from 500 
to 1,800 feet hign. Rounding the northeastern end of this island, Ave steamed 
through Yerguine Pass, and at 7:13 a. m. entered Senavine Straits. These straits 
are a body of Avatcr 30 miles long and from one-half mile to 6 miles wide, lying be- 
tween the mainland on the Avest and the /Vrakamtchetcheno and Tchirklook islands 
on the east. The opening had been noticed by Bering, Cook, and Sarytscheff, but 
Capt. Lutke was the first to explore it. It Avas named after his ship. At 7 :28 a. m. 
we wererounding Cape Paguelune, the southwestpointof Arakamtchetcheue Island. 
This island is 16 by 8 miles in extent, and contains several small natiA^e settlements. 
It has seA-^eral high peaks, the greatest elevation of Avhich is Tinmai, 1,809 feet high. 
A southeast storm setting in, at 8:30 a. m. the captain turned southward, and at 
10:.30 anchored in Glasenapp Harbor, under Cape Yerguine, for shelter. The harbor 
is well sheltered from all winds and sea, and couA'enient for procuring water, ([uite 
a blessing in this region. Glad enough were Ave to find safe anchorage here from 
the storm and rough water in Senavine Straits. 

While lying here some five or six natiA^es boarded the vessel. They had hardly 
landed on deck before they began their incessant ideadiug for "Kow-kow" (bread). 
3 



954 



EDUCATION REPOET, 1890-91. 



A bucket of bread was giveu them and a shelter from the storm profered if they 
desired to remain with us. The captain engaged them to gather reindeer moss lor 




Hoisting in a Reindeer on Board the Bear. 

[From a photo, by Assistant Engineer A.. L. Broadbent, U. S. R. M. Published by permissi^ 

the animals he had on board. These natives embraced the opportunity readily to earn 
a few biscuits df hard bread. Having gone ashore, they returned in a very short 



of The Californian 1 



EDUCATION IN ALAfjKA. 955 

space of time with a dozen woll-rtlkHl saeJ^s of reindeer moss. Understanding that 
the ishmd was well covered with reindeer food, t lie c;>jitain made iu(|uiry of the 
interjireters why these natives did not have reindeer. Jle was given the following 
rather romantic narrative of tliese now poor, miserable, half-starved people and out- 
casts from the Eskimo and neighboring tribes: 

"A very long time ago, before my father was a boy, the people on this island had 
plenty of deer, more deer than we can count on onr (iiigers and toes together; a heap 
more. In those days these people were never hungry. They did not steal then, 
lither, but now they are always hungry, and if not sharply watched will steal 
plenty very quick." 

The next ([uestion asked was, " How did they lose their deer, and why do they stay in 
a place that gives them so little to eat ? '' " Well, before my father was a boy these peo- 
])le had i)leuty of deer. Yardgidigan, the chief, was a rich man, all the same as you 
(referring to the captain). He wanted a wife. There were none on the island or in any 
of theneighboringsettlementsthat cameuptothereciuirementsof this rich, fastidious, 
and powerful deer man. Harnessing his tinest and fastest deer team, he started ou 
a matrimonial prospecting tour among the deer men of the interior. A report being 
current that a deer man named Omileuth, living far up in the monntainous region 
of Siberia, possessed a daughter of rare and wonderful beauty, that excelled in 
all the arts of making shoes and clothes and looking after the creature comforts of 
him who would be her husband — with whom none in Siberia could compare. He 
sought and found this wonderful woman, and in due course of time was the success- 
ful Avooer among many snitors. The nuptials were celebrated with great pomp and 
feasting by the girls people, and the happy couple started for their future home 
accompanied by a large herd of reindeer, the father's gift and the bride's dower. 
Bride, groom, and deer arrived home without accident, their journey having been 
one continued round of feasting. 

"On the homeward journey the groom was so generous with his wife's property that 
at the very beginning of their married life a cloud of mistrust came over the bride. 
Among those who accompanied the bridal jiair on their home journey were many of 
the rejected suitors. One, in particular, Tenisken, the chief of Marcus Bay, who, 
prior to the coming of the bridegroom, was the favored suitor, and still was the 
maiden's choice. Consumed with jealousy, he let no opportunity slip that gave the 
slightest chance of poisoning the young wife's mind ayainst her husband. Upon 
their arrival at the home of the groom the feast and dance were again the order of 
the day. Wrestling and other athletic sports were indulged in far into the winter. 
Yardgidigan was proud of his beautiful wife. Being extremely happy and secure 
in his love, he heeded not the warnings to beware of his rival, Tenisken, chief of 
Marcus Bay. Tenisken lingered many months in the bridegroom's camp, enjoying 
every hospitality that a rich and happy husband could bestow. At length he took 
his departure, and the bridegroom awoke one morning to find that his wife of a few 
moons had disappeared with his friend and fellow-chief. Pursuit was immediately 
ordered and dreadful vengeance vowed upon the destroyer of his peace of mind and 
betrayer of his house and home. As swift as were the pursuers, swifter still was the 
flight of the guilty pair, 

"Arriving at Marcus Bay, the pair were warmly welcomed by the villagers, who 
upheld their chief and his guilty bride. To him they thought she rightfully be- 
longed by the right of love divine. The husband, through spies, discovered the state 
of things in the enemy's camp and knew that his vengeance must be sought by 
stealth. Long he watched, concealed near Tenisken's camp. At last the anxiously 
prayed-for moment arrived. During the prevalence of one of those storms that only 
occur in the Arctic (and that seldom), he, with a stone in his hand and a knife be- 
tween his teeth, sought the camp. Entering the house of his enemy, he was rendered 
still more furious by the sight of his beautiful and faithless bride lying in the em- 
brace of his rival. Burying his knife deep into the heait of his enemy, he otfered 
him the greatest indignity that can be put upon an P^skimo — bit oS his nose. Forci- 
bly carrying his faithless wife out of the house, he took her back to his camp. 
Not until morning were the people of Marcus Bay aware of the tragedy that had 
been enacted in their midst. Pursuit and retaliation were ordered. The son of the 
murdered chief headed the party. The wronged husband, having tarried too long^ 
near his enemy's camp for vengeance, had so exhausted his supplies of men and beasts 
as to render him able to make but short stages homeward and to offer slight resist- 
ance if attacked. This weakened condition of Yardgi<ligan's was made known to 
the son of Tenisken by the faithless wife, who promised at a certain day and desig- 
nated place to make her lord and master drunk and stupefied from ' toad-stool' wine. 
This she did. And when the followers of her husband were lying drunk, at a given 
signal from her, the whole encampment were put to death, and the faithless and cruel 
woman led back to Marcus Bay amid great rejoicing and as the bride of her para- 
mour's son. Now was planned the extermination of the colony on that island. They 
had not heard of the fate of Tardgidigan, their chief. So under disguise the Marcus 



956 EDUCATION jfEPORT, 1800-91. 

Bay people entered tlieir village, killed most of their jicople, drove away every dee 
and razed tlieir houses to the ground. Purposely they spared a few lives, upo4 
whom the sliamau (native priest) i)rononneed a fearful anathema. 

"This happened many generations ago, yet the people dare not and will not, for 
fear of a similar fate, imperil their hopes for present and future happiness by asso- 
ciating with these poor, wretched outcasts, accursed by the shaman perhaps a hun- 
dred years ago. So from aiifluence and plenty they and their offspring have beer 
reduced to want and misery, and will so endure, until they shall cease to exist, oil 
account of the iiertidy of a woman, who by her beauty and sophistry prejudiced 
priests and populace against her outraged and lawful husband and his people, mak- 
ing right appear wrong and wrong right." 

After the interpreters had completed their story both in a breath remarked, " Cap- 
tain, that is hard luck — before, plenty; now, all the time hungry." 

The storm having abated, on September9 we again got under way about 11 o'clock. 
Steaming up Senavine Straits, at 1 :30 we came to anchor off Cape Yagnakmone, 
Siberia, where Koharra and his party were sent ashore for deer. On the following 
day, the sea becoming rough, we returned to Glasenapp Harbor for refuge. The storm 
abating on the 12th of September, at 5:15 a. m. anchor was weighed, and we again 
started for Cape Yagnakinone. There we secured twelve additional reindeer. Early 
on the morning of September 13 the natives were sent ashore, and at 9 a. m. we got 
under way for Unalaska, where we arrived on the 17th of September. 

On the 21st of September seven of the reindeer were pTit ashore on Unalaska Island 
and the other nine on Amaknak Island, in charge of Mr. Ney B. Anthony, United 
States deputv marshal. 

Thus the results of the investigations and work for 1891 with regard to reindeer 
were: 1. The cultivation of the good will of the Siberians and foundations laid for 
future purchases; 2, the actual purchase of sixteen reindeer; 3, the proving by 
actual experience that reindeer can be transjiorted with the same facility as other 
domestic cattle, the sixteen in charge having been safely loaded, kept on shipboard 
three weeks, and landed in good condition a thousand miles away. 

It having been proved by experience that reindeer can be purchased and trans- 
ported, the general introduction of domestic reindeer into Alaska becomes a mere 
question of time and money. 

With the accomplishment of this result several important objects will be attained. 

PERMANENT FOOD SUPPLY. 

In the first place, the population, which is now upon the verge of starvation, will 
Tie furnished with a permanent, regular, and abundant supply of food. As has al- 
ready been stated, the native supply of food in that region has been destroyed by the 
industries of the white men. The whale and the walrus, that once teemed in their 
waters and furnished over half their food supply, have been killed or driven oft' by 
the persistent hunting of the whalers. The wild reindeer (caribou) and fur-bear- 
ing animals of the land, which also furnished them food and clothing, are being 
largely destroyed by the deadly breech-loading firearm. It will be impossible to re- 
stock their waters with whale and walrus in the same way that we restock rivers 
with a fresh supply of fish. But what we can not give them back their former food," 
we can, through the introduction of the domestic reindeer, provide a new food 
supply. 

Upon our return southward from the Arctic Ocean in the fall of 1891 Capt. Healy 
providentially called at the village on King Island, where we found the population 
starving. The appeal for food was so pressing that the captain detailed a lieuten- 
ant to make a thorough examination of the village, and invited me to accompany him 
In a few houses we found that the families in their great distress had killed their 
sled dogs to keep themselves from starving. In the larger number of families they 
were making a broth of seaweed, their only food supply. In all human probability, 
if the shiji had not learned their condition, the following summer not a man, woman, 
or child would have been left alive to tell the story. A few years ago the same 
thing happened to three large villages on the island of St. Lawrence, and when, the 
following season, the revenue cutter called at the villages, the putrefying corpses of 
the population were found everywhere — on the bed platforms, on the floors, in the 
door ways, and along the paths, wherever death overtook them. 

In 1891 one of the teachers on the Kuskokwim Eiver wrote me that the inhabitants 
of that A-alley had had but little opportunity during the summer of 1890 to provide a 
sufflcient food supply of fish ; that consequently starvation faced them all winter, and 
that it was with great difficulty that they survived until the fish returned the fol- 
lowing season. A teacher on the Yukon River reported this past summer that some 
of the natives to the north of him had starved to death. This same scarcity of food 
exists across the entire northern portion of North America, so that now, under the 
auspices of the Church of England, subscriptions have been opened in London for a 
famine fund, out of which to send relief to the starving Eskimo of Arctic Bi'itish 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 957 

America. This condition of tliinpjs will go on, incioasing in severity from year to 
year, until the fotnl siijiply of the seas and of the land is entirely gone, and then there 
is nothing left hut the extermination of the native population. The general intro- 
duction of the domestic reindeer alone will change this entire condition of things, 
and furnish as reliahle a supply of food to that j)eople as the herds of cattle in Texas 
and Wyoming do to their owners or the herds of sheep in New Mexico and Arizona. 
The reindeer is the animal which God's providence seems to have provided for those 
northern regions, being food, clothing, house, furniture, inii)lement8, and transpor- 
tation to the people. Its milk and flesh furnish food. Its marrow, tongue, and hams 
are considered choice delicacies. Its blood mixed with the contents of its stomach 
forms a favorite native dish. Its intestines are cleaned, tilled with tallow, and eaten 
as sausage. Its skin is made into clothes, bedding, tent covers, reindeer harness, ropes, 
cords, and lish lines. The hard skin of the forelegs makes an excellent covering for 
snowshoes. Its sinews are made into a strong and lasting thread. Its bones are 
soaked in seal oil and bunied for fuel. Its horns are made into various kinds of house- 
hold implements, into weapons for hunting, fishing, or war, and used in the manu- 
facture of sleds. Then the living animal is trained for riding and dragging of sleds. 
The general introduction of such an animal into that region will arrest the jn-esent 
starvation and restock that vast country with a permanent food supply. It will 
revive hope in the hearts of a sturdy race that is now rapidly passing away. Surely, 
the country that sends shiploads of grain to starving Russians, that has never turned 
a deaf ear to the call of distress in any section of the globe, will not begrudge a few 
thousand dollars for the purchase and introduction of this Siberian reindeer and the 
rescue of thousands of people from starvation. 

REPEOPLING THE COUNTRY. 

In the second place, the introduction of domestic reindeer into Alaska will not only 
thus arrest the present starvation, but will assist in increasing the population. 
With a more generous food supply this population will commence to increase in 
numbers. Occupying a region whose climatic conditions are so rigorous that but 
few white men will ever be willing to make their permanent home in it, it is im- 
portant, if we would save it from being an unpeopled waste and howling wilder- 
ness, that we build up the people who through generations have become acclimated 
and who are as fervently attached to their bleak and storm-swept plains as the people 
of temperate and torrid zones to their lauds of comfort and abundance. 

They are a race worth saving. I find that public opinion, gained perhaps by a 
more familiar knowledge of the Eskimo of Greenland and Labrador, conceives that 
the Alaska Eskimos are of the same small type. But this is not true. 

In the extreme north, at Point Barrow and along the coast of Bering Sea, they are 
of medium size. At Point Barrow the average height of the males is 5 feet 3 inches 
and average weight 153 pounds; of the women, 4 feet 11 inches and weight 135 
pounds. On the Nushagak River the average weight of the men is from 150 to 167 
pounds. From Cape Prince of W^ales to Icy Cape and on the great inland rivers 
emptying into the Arctic Ocean they are a large race, many of them being 6 feet 
and over in height. At Kotzebue Sound I have met a number of men and women 6 
feet tall. Physically they are very strong, with great powers of endurance. When 
on a joiirney, if food is scarce, they will travel 30 or 40 miles without breakiug their 
fast. Lieut. Cantwell, in his explorations of the Kowak River, makes record that 
upon one occasion when he wanted a heavj^ stone for an anchor a woman went out 
and alone rolled into her birch-bark canoe and brought him a stone that would weigh 
800 pounds. It took two strong men to lift it out of the canoe. 

Another explorer speaks of a woman carrying ofl" on her shoulder a box of lead 
weighing 280 pounds. This summer, in erecting the school buildings in the Arctic, 
there being no drays or horses in that country, all the timbers, lumber, hardware, 
etc., had to be carried from the beach to the site of the house on the shoulders of the 
people. They pride themselves on their ability to outjump or outrun any of our 
race who have competed with them. They can lift a heavier weight, throw a heavy 
weight farther, and endure more than we. They are a strong, vigorous race, lifted 
for jieopling and subduing the frozen regions of their home. 

Arctic and sub-Arctic Alaska cover an empire in extent equal to nearly all Europe. 
W^ith the covering of those vast plains witli herds of domesticated reindeer it will 
bo possible to support in comparative comfort a i)opulation of 100,000 people where 
now 20,000 people have a precarious support. To bring this about is worthy the fos- 
tering care of the General Government. 

CIVILIZATION OF THE ESKIMOS. 

Thirdly, the introduction of domestic reindeer is the commencement of the eleva- 
tion of this race from barbarism to civilization. A change from the condition of 



958 EDUCATION REPORT, 18'J0-91. 

hunters to that of herders is a long step upwards in the scale of civilization, teaching 
them to provide lor the future by new methods. 

Probably no greater returns can be found in this country from the exi)fnditure of 
the same amount of money than in lilting up this native race out of barbarism by 
the introduction of reindeer and education. 

ARCTIC TltANSrOUTATION. 

Fourthly, the introduction of the domestic reindeer will solve the question of 
Arctic transportation. The present trans]iortation of that region is by dog sleds. 
One load of supplies for the trader or traveler requires a second load of food 
for the two teams of dogs, and they make but short distances per day. This 
diiticulty of transportation has been one great drawback to the development of the 
country. It has interfered with the plans ol' the fur trader; it has interfered with 
Government exploration. Only three years ago when the U. S. Coast and Geodetic 
Survey sent two parties to determine the international boundary between Alaska 
and British America the small steamer that was conveying the supplies up the Yukon 
River was wrecked, and it was with the utmost difficulty that the surveying iiarties 
were kept from starvation because of the difficulty of sending sufficient food 2,0i)0 
miles along that great valley by dog sleds. If reindeer had been introduced into the 
country there would have been no such difficulty in furnishing food. Bills have 
been before Congress for several years proposing to establish a military post in the 
Yukon Valley. If such a post is established it is not at all improbable that a com- 
bination of circtimstances may arise some winter by which the forces that shall bo 
stationed there will be reduced to starvation unless reindeer transportation shall 
have become so systematized that food can readily be sent in from other regions. 
The same is true with reference to the Government officials whom it may be found 
necessary to station in that region. 

Tlie same is true of the forty or more missionaries and their families that are now 
scattered through that vast region ; also, of the teachers and their families whom 
the Government has sent into that country. 

These are now separated from all communication with the outside woi'ld, receiv- 
ing their mail but once a year. With reindeer transportation they could have a 
monthly mail. 

l>viriug the past three years the whalers have been extending their voyages east 
of Point Barrow to the mouth of the Mackenzie River, and wintering at Herschel 
Island. To the owners of this property it would be worth tens of thousands of dol- 
lars if they could hear from their vessels in the winter before new supplies and 
additional vessels are sent out in the spring. But this can not now be done. Last 
winter letters were sent out from the field, overland, by Indian runners that as- 
cended the Mackenzie, crossed over to the Porcupine, and descended the Porcupine 
and Yukon rivers down to St. Michael, on the coast. It was ten months before those 
letters reached their destination. It was a great satisfaction to the owners to hear 
of the welfare of their ships and crews, but the news was too late for business pur- 
poses. Millions of dollars' worth of property and thousands of lives are involved in 
the whaling business. With the introduction of domestic reindeer into that region 
it will be both feasible and perfectly practicable to establish a reindeer express dur- 
ing the winter from the Arctic coast down to the North Pacific coast of Alaska. 

The southern coast of Alaska on the Pacific Ocean never freezes, and is accessible 
all the year round to vessels from San Francisco or Puget Sound. 

A reindeer express across Alaska, from the Arctic to the Pacific Ocean, would 
have a corresponding commercial value to that section as the telegraph between 
New York and London to theirs. It would enable the owners of the whaling fleet to 
avail themselves of the latest commercial news and keep a more perfect control over 
their business. 

COMMERCIAL VALUE. 

In the fifth place, the introduction of domesticated reindeer will add a new indus- 
try to that country, which will go to swell the aggregate of national wealth. Lap- 
land sends to market about 22,000 head of reindeer a year, the surplus of her herds. 

Through Norway and Sweden smoked reindeer meat and smoked reindeer tongue* 
are everywhere found for sale in their markets, the hams being worth 10 cents a pound 
and the tongues 10 cents apiece. There are wealthy merchants in Stockholm whose 
specialty and entire trade is in these Lapland products. The reindeer skins are mar- 
keted all over Europe, being worth in their raw condition from $1.50 to $1.75 apiece. 
The tanned skins (soft, with a beautiful yellow color) find a ready sale in Sweden 
at from $2 to $2.75 each. Reindeer skins are used for gloves, military riding trous- 
ers, and the binding of books. Reindeer hair is in great demand for the filling of 
life-saving apparatuses, buoys, etc., and from the reindeer horns is made the best 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 959 

existiiiff f;lue. One jj;io;it ai'ticlc, smoked icindcuT toiifjiics, atui tanned skins are 
iinictni;- tlu' i>rinoipal j)r()(hKis of the >j;reat annuiil iair at Nisclinij Novfjorod, Russia. 
In Lajdand tliere are about lOOjOOO bead of reindeer, snstaininjj in comfort some 26,000 
peojde. Tbere is no reason, consideriuji the fj^reater area of the country and the 
abnudanco of reindeer nu>s8, why arctic and subarctic Alaska should not sustain a 
l)oi)nlation of lOO.OOO people -with 2,000,000 head of reindeer. In Lapland the rein- 
deer return a tax of $1 a head to the Government, so that they yield an annual rev- 
enue to the Government of .$400, 000. 

With the destruction of the butfalo the material for cheap carriage and sleijih robes 
foreonnuon nse is gone. Bear and wolf skins are too expensive; but with the intro- 
duction of the reindeer their skins would to a certain extent take the place of the 
extinct butfalo. 

The commercial importance of introducing domesticated reindeer in Alaska was so 
manifest that shrewd business men on the Pacitic coast at once appreciated the 
gre.it pt)ssibilities involved, and hastened, through their cham])ers ot commerce and 
boar<ls of trade, to take action urging their several delegations in Congress to do 
-w'liat they could to secure an appropriation of money for these purposes. 

Under favorable circumstances a swift reindeer can traverse 150 miles in a day. 
A s])eed of 100 miles per day is easily made. As a beast of burden they can draw a 
load of 300 pounds. 

The progress of exploration, settlement, development, government, civilization, 
education, humanity, and religion, are all largely dependent in that region on rein- 
deer transportation. 

If there is any measure of public policy better established than another or more 
frequently acted upon, it has been the earnest and unceasing efforts of Congress to 
encourage and aid in every way the improvement of stock, and the markets of the 
world have been searehecl for imiiroved breeds. The same wise and liberal i)olicy 
will make ample provision for the introduction of the reindeer, which of all animals 
is the most serviceable and indispensable to man in high northern latitudes. 

If it is sound policy to sink artesian wells or create large water reservoirs for 
reclaiming large areas of valuable laud otherwise worthless; if it is the part of 
national wisdom to introduce large, permanent, and wealth-producing industries 
where none previously existed, then it is the part of national wisdom to cover that 
vast empire with herds of domestic reindeer, the only industry that can live and 
thrive in that region, and take a barbarian people on the verge of starvation, lift 
them up to a comfortable support and civilization, and turn them from consumers 
into producers of national wealth. 

It will be noticed that the sum asked from Congress is only $15,000. I hope that 
this will not be misunderstood and taken as a measure of the importance of the 
movement, for if the proposed results could not be obtained with any less sum an 
ajtpropriation of hundreds of thotisands of dollars would be both wise and economical. 

But so small a sum is accepted on the ground of proceeding with extreme caution. 
It is the commencement of a great movement that will, if successful, extend its 
beneticial iutluences as long as ths world stands. Therefore we move slowly and 
carefully at first in order to secure that success. Commencing in a small way, the 
first outlay of money is not large. 

So far the purchase of the reindeer has been defrayed from the money contributed 
by benevolent individuals. 

REVENUE-MARINE SERVICE. 

These gratifying results, however, could not have been attained without the hearty 
and active cooperation of the Reveuue-Mariue Service. 

If this office had been required to charter a vessel kn- the transportiug of the rein- 
de -r nothing could have been done with the small sum at our disposal. 

But the Secretary of the Treasury directed that the revenue cutter Bear, in addi- 
tion to her regular duties of patrolling the Seal Islands and the coasts of Bering Sea 
and the Arctic Ocean, following tlie whaling fleet, anil inspecting the refuge station at 
Point Barrow, should also give what time was possible to transporting the reiiuleer. 

To the captain, officers, and crew of the i'far is due much praise for the hard work 
done by them. 

Special thanks are due Capt. M. A. Healy for his earnestness and efficiency in 
doing his part of the work; also to Lieut. D. H. Jarvis, Surg. S.J. Call, and As- 
sistant Engineer Falkenstein, who were in charge of much of the shore work of load- 
ing and unloading the deer. 

The establishment of schools and the commencement of the introduction of do- 
mestic reiudeer into Alaska are adding largely to the importance of the annuJ\l 
cruise of the U. S. R. M. S. Bear in Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean. 

These schools and mission stations, with their large and increasing property inter- 
ests, beyond the protection and reach of the courts of the Territory, are dependent 
upon the protecting influence exerted by the annual visit of the revenue cutter. 



960 EDUCATION IfEPORT, 1890-91. 

EEC OMMEND ATIONS. 

I. The recent act of Congress, entitled "An act to repeal timber-culture laws, and 
for other purposes," approved March 3, 1891, makes provision for the incorporation 
of villages in Alaska. 

•Under the provisions of this act the citizens of Sitka and Juneau are taking stepa 
to incorporate. 

Ab incorporation will enable them to levy and collect taxes for school purposes, I 
respectfully reconnueud that when a village incorporates, the white school of the 
place be turned over to the care of the school trustees that may be elected for that 
purpose, and that at least one-half of the expenses of the school shall be borne by the 
village. 

II. I renew the recommendation of former years for some provision for securing a 
more regular attendance of pupils. 

III. With the gradual opening up of Alaska, it becomes increasingly important 
that the law creating agricultural colleges and experiment stations should be ex- 
tended to it. 

I remain, with great respect, yours truly, 

Sheldon Jackson, 
General Agent of Education in Alaska. 



[ Whole Xitmher 214 

U. S. BUREAU OF EDUCATION. 

REPRINT OF CHAPTER XXVIII OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER 
OF EDUCATION FOR 1891-92. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA 



1891-93. 



SHELDON JACKSON, D. D., 

GENERAL AGENT. 



WASHINGTON: 

GO^'^ERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1894. 



CHAPTER XXVIIT. 

REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



Dkpartment op the Interior, 
Bureau of Education, Alaska Division, 

Washington, D. C, June 30, 1S92. 
Sir: I hare the honor to submit the following annual report of the general agen* 
of education for Alaska for the year ending June 30, 1892, 

NuMBEH and General Condition of the Schools of Alaska. 

There is in Uaska a school population of from 8,000 to 10,000. Of these, 1,934 were 
enrolled in the 31 schools in operation during the year closing June 30, 1892. Six- 
teen day schools, with an enrollment of 798 pupils, were supported entirely by the 
Government at an expense of $20,020, and fifteen contract schools, with an enroll- 
ment of 1,136, were supported jointly by the Government and tlio missionary 
societies of the Presbyterian, Moravian, Episcopal, Methodist, Congregational, 
Lutheran, and Eoman Catholic churches. Of the pupils in the contract schools, 788 
were day pupils and 348 industrial pupils. These latter were clothed, housed, fed 
and taught. 

The boys were taught shoemaking, housebuilding, furniture-making, coopering, 
baking, gardening, and the care of cattle; the girls were taught cooking, baking, 
washing, ironing, sewing, dressmaking, and housekeeping. 

Toward the support of these contract schools the Government contributed $29,980, 
and the missionary societies $68,211.81. 

UN.\I,.\SK.\ DISTRICT. 

Point Barrow contract sclwol. — Presbyterian; population, Eskimo; L. M. Stevenson, 
teacher. The school was opened October 6, 1892. There were but few natives at the 
time in the village, the majority of them still being absent, hunting on the land and 
fishing in the waters, to secure a supply of winter food. This kept them away until 
the dark days of December, and the scarcity of food was such that some remained 
away the entire winter, coming in only to bring supplies of food to their relatives 
that remained in the village. The caribou had migrated further than usual into the 
interior, and only scattered ones wereseen. Again, the native prejudices against an 
education and the influence of their sorcerers kept some of the children from school, 
so only a few attended the earlier portion of the year. As the winter advanced, 
however, more came in. The progress of those that did attend was better than that 
of the previous year. They seemed to have remembered what they had learned, and 
started readily upon a review covering what had been gone over, the review being 
thorough and complete, before any new matter was presented, except the short texts 
and phrases which were kept constantly on the blackboard to attract their atten- 
tion. This cultivation of memory was a somewhat difficult task and did not succeed 
as well as was desired. One of the characteristics of the northern Eskimo is the 
idea that ''to-morrow will be another day," and they were unaccustomed to commit 
anything to memory for future use. They seemed, however, to have a great desire to 
know the English language, and studied very diligently in the school room, but 
failed to use what they had learned, outside; although sometimes, when the children 
were on the playground, with none of the older natives around, they used the 
English which they had learned in school quite freely. 

One of the great obstacles to the school work, and the civilization and christian- 
ization of these natives, is the liquor which is smuggled in by a few of the whalers. 

873 



874 EDUCATION REPORT, 1891-92. 

The larger portion of the whaling fleet is opposed to the introduction of liquors 
among the native people. A few of the captains, however, still believe in it, and, 
as far as they can, avoid the vigilant watch of the revenue cutter, and deal out 
a bottle here and there to the natives for the purpose of inducing trade or something 
worse, Also, sometimes, when the commanding officer of the whaler is opposed to 
the introduction of liquor, some of the men on his ship will smuggle a few bottles 
along, which are dealt out to the natives on the sly. In this way a sufficiency of 
liquor gets into the country to demoralize a number of the natives, and drunkenness 
commences with the arrival of the whaling fleet and lasts until it leaves the country 
in the fall. 

Another inconvenience and difficulty has arisen from the fact that no mission 
buildings have yet been erected, and the school has been dependent upon the cour- 
tesy of Capt. Healy, freely extended, for the use of a room in the refuge station. 
In 1891 the Board of Missions of the Presbyterian Church, who have a contract with 
the Government for the renting of this school, chartered a schooner in San Francisco 
and sent up a load of lumber and building material. The vessel reached within 70 
miles of Point Barrow, when it was stopped by the presence of the ice-pack of the 
Arctic, and could go no further. Under the circumstances the schooner returned to 
Bering Straits, and the lumber was landed at that station. The following year the 
Bchool at Cape Prince of Wales failed to secure a needed supply of lumber from 
San Francisco, and used the lumber that was intended for Point Barrow, necessitat- 
ing the Point Barrow station occupying the refuge station another year. 

Point Hope contract school. — Episcopalian; population, Eskimo, John B. Driggs, m. 
D., teacher. The population of Point Hope (Tigara) was slightly increased this 
season over last from families arriving from other tribes. Whenever a strange 
family came into the village it at once enrolled its children in the school. The daily 
average for the year was 28. It would have been much larger, but for irregular 
attendance caused by whole families going off on hunting trips and remaining from 
one week to a month at a time. 

During the year two new classes were introduced into the school, one in which the 
teacher required the pupils to repeat short sentences in the native language and then 
translate them into the English language orally, or write them out on their slates. 
The second class was one in which the teacher repeated short English sentences and 
had the pupils translate them into their own language. The majority of the chil- 
dren manifested considerable advancement in their studies. 

Cape Prince of Wales contract school. — Congregational; population, Eskimo; 
W. T. Lopp, teacher. Mr. Thornton, the associate teacher at this station, having 
returned to the States in the fall of 1891, Mr. Lopp, who remained behind, was the 
only English speaking person left in a large region of country. The lonesomencsa 
of such a condition can not be appreciated by anyone who has not been similarly 
situated. Toward spring a native family, who had been off some 300 miles to a 
trading post, returned, bringing with them a dog that would obey commands given 
in the English language. The loneliness had been so great that Mr. Lopp would 
visit that dog every day for the companionship of some animal that had once heard 
the English language. 

The school year was a very prosperous one. The average daily attendance of pupils 
was 106; including teachers, 118. Many of the children mastered the alphabet, 
learned to spell and pronounce simple English words, read in the first reader, write 
a neat and readable hand, and sing gospel and patriotic songs. They also became 
familiar with several hundred English words, and learned the necessity of greater 
cleanliness in their habits. A few of the larger boys and girls were taught to make 
clothing of hair seal skins, after American patterns. Lead pencils, paper, pictures, 
hard bread, combs, and soap were given as prizes for punctuality and diligence. On 
a few occasions it became necessary to punish pupils by excluding them from the 
privileges of the school for a few days. Visitors to the school came from 50 to 300 
miles around. Last season a school bell was received, which greatly delighted the 
people. However, in October, the teacher was waited upon by one of the leading 
sorcerers, who requested him not to ring it, as the spirits had informed him that the 
noise of the bell would prevent the people from successfully hunting foxes and seals. 
But as white foxes were more abundant than ever the ringing of the bell did not 
seem to have any bad effect. 

Owing to the fear which the chiefs of the village held towards Capt. Healy, of the 
Bear, the village was very free from whisky or drunkenness during the year. They 
expressed a great deal of surprise at the character of the teacher, who neither traded 
nor hunted, and at the time was unmarried. He was a puzzle to them. They said: 
"Too poor to trade, too stingy to marry, and too effeminate to hunt." . 

The winter was a cold one. The mean temperature from October to May was 5.6^ 
and the maximum 40°; minimum, — 30°. In February and March Bering Straits 
were blocked up with smooth fields of ice from the North, so that 5 of the people 
made a trip by dog sleds across to Siberia for tobacco. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 875 

Ten Eskimo police wore appointed by Capt. Healy, af the Bear, to assist the 
teacher aud take charge of the drunken natives who miglit be inclined to be disor- 
derly. These native police worked with great efficiency au<l were found exceedingly 
useful in preserving order. 

V7ialalaklik contract school. — Swedish Evangelical; population, Eskimo; Axel E. 
Karlson, teacher. No report. 

Anvik contract school. — Christ Church Mission; Protestant Episcopal; population, 
Indians; John W. Chapman, teacher. School was held from November 9, 1891, to 
April 15, 1892. The hours were from 9 to 3, with an hour's intermission at 
noon, when the day scholars were furnished with a simple meal. The average daily 
attendance for the year was 24.3. The teacher B])ent an hour and a half each day 
in oral training, at which the entire school would be required to learn the meaning 
and use of various lists of words, e. g., parts of the body, occupations in the States, 
geographical names, the comparison of adjectives, the conjugation of verbs, etc.^ as 
well as to construct sentences on given subjects, and read rapidly off hand. This 
seemed to have a stimulating effect upon the pupils. The school was divided into 
three classes, one of which went through the reader twice; the second, once and 
partially again on review, and the third class went halfway through the first I'eader 
during the year. In arithmetic there were daily drills on the multiplication table and 
in combinations of numbers, adding by groups, etc. In geography the pupils were 
made familiar with the grand divisions of land and water, and with some of the more 
prominent natural features in the continent, with the political divisions in North 
America, and several of the groups of States and their typical products and occupa- 
tions. The attendance was larger and more steady than the previous year. 

A boarding school for boys was established and maintained, with an average of 
nine pupils. 

Kosoriffsky contract school. — Holy Cross Mission; Roman Catholic; population, 
Eskimo and Indians; teachers. Sisters of St. Ann. At this station is a large board- 
ing or home school in care of the Sisters of St. Ann, which was begun in August, 
1888. The attendance during the year has been 75 aud the progress of the pupils 
good. This progress was largely due to the effect of the pupils being separated from 
their parents and being under the influence of their teachers. 

Besides a good English education, the girls were taught washing, ironing, sewing, 
and cooking. The boys were taught carpentry, blacksmithiug, and gardening. 
During the long summer vacation 6 of them found employment on the river steamer 
as tiremen and pilots. 

As in all such schools, English was the only language allowed to be spoken in or 
out of the schoolroom. At the same place and time, and by the same sisters, there 
was conducted a day school with an enrollment of 40 scholars. These, however, did 
not progress as much in their studies as did their friends in the boarding school, as 
they were less under the influence of the teachers aud irregular in their attendance, 
the necessity of securing food requiring them to change their location and be absent 
from home a considerable portion of the year. 

Niilato contract school. — Roman Catholic; population, Indians; teacher, . A 

school of 20 pupils was kept from October 1, 1891, to July 1, 1892. No report. 

Cape Vancouver contract school. — Roman Catholic; population, Eskimo; teacher, 
; enrollment, 20 pupils. No report. 

Bethel contract school. — Moravian; population, Eskimo; teacher, John H. Kil- 
buck. School was kept for two hundred days; attendance, 34 boarding pupils. 
Each pupil is provided, at the expense of the school, with two suits of clothing, a 
fur "parka," a fur cap, a pair of seal-skin mittens lined with wool, and from two 
to three pairs of fur boots, per year. 

The diet at the school table consists of dried salmon, frozen fish and game, bread, 
tea, sugar, beans, and salted salmon. In the spring the boys are allowed to go to 
the mountains and trap for fur, which gives them experience and also helps them 
earn a portion of their living. 

At a later point in this report is included an interesting account sent by Mrs. Kil- 
buck, concerning Shamanism and sorcery in this valley. 

Carmel contract school. — Moravian; population, Eskimo; teacher, F. E. Wolff. 
The school was kept from August 19, 1891, to June 7, 1892, with an average daily 
attendance of 18 boarding pupils. 

Outside of the school hours the pupils were taught in the various industries suited 
to their position. 

Much difficulty is found in keeping the pupils regularly under the influence of the 
school, as on one pretext after another the parents, not recognizing the value of 
regularity in school work, are disposed to take themoff on fishing and hunting expe- 
ditions. 

Several families came from distant sections to Carmel, that they might have the 
advantage of the school for their children. 



87 G EDUCATION REPORT, 1891-92. 

TJnalasTca contract school. — Methodist; population, Aleuts; John A. Tuck, teacter; 
enrollment, 35.* This place was selected by the missionary society ol the Methodist 
Episcopal Church as the center of their church operations in Alaska, on June 28, 
1883. Owing to a combination of circumstances, work was not commenced until 
the summer of 1889, when Mr. and Mrs. John A. Tuck were sent out to establish a 
school and mission home. 

In 1890 the home was commenced by the bringing of 2 orphan waifs, girls, from 
the island of Attou, 1,000 miles west of Unalaska. The teachers were in a small one 
and one-half story cottage (half of which was used as a schoolroom), and were 
unprepared to receive any children into their family. But under the circumstances 
the waifs had to be received, whether convenient or not. Other girls, finding thai 
2 had actually been received, also came and refused to be driven away, and some 
weeks later Capt. M. A. Healy, commanding the U. S. S. Bear, brought down 6 orphan 
girls from the Seal Islands. Thus the school has grown and grown until 26 girls 
have been received. 

The character and efficiency of the school can be judged by the following letter, 
received by the general agent from Cajjt. M. A. Healy: 

Revenue Marine Steamer Bear, 
Port of Unalaska, Alaska, November 9, 1S92. 
Dear Sir: I have bronghi 6 girla from the Se.al Islands to the Jesse Lee School ; two years ago I 
brought down a like number. I am constrained by this part I have had in providing scholars lor the 
school to give you my views of its character and accomplishments, with the hope that they excite 
interest in its behalf among its founders and supporters. 

In all my experience in the country I have seen nothing that has rendered so much good to the 
people. From its situation, it has tributary to it this whole western end of the Territorj where 
there are numbers of children and poor waifs, many the offspring of white fathers, grow^ing up with- 
out the care of homes or the education and training of Christian parents. . 

Prof, and Mrs. Tuck have labored zealously and well to teach the scholars the necessities and 
requirements of decent living, and have trained them to become good housekeepers and proper wives 
and mothers. But they are cramped by the means and accomodations at hand. The school is already 
crowded to its utmost capacity, and can not take many whom it would be a mercy to give its pro- 
tection, and who could be received with a suitable building and support. 

1 am sure the ladies of the Methodist society, could they understand the conditions and field of the 
school and how well it is conducted, would become interested in its behalf and provide it with better 
facilities with which to continue and enlarge its work for the elevation of these poor, neglected mem- 
bers of their sex. 

I can not be accused of bias, for I am of an entirely difl'erent religious belief. Prof, and Mrs. Tuck 
know nothing of my writing. I am prompted by my interest in the country and the improvement of 
its people, and can not remain blind to good to humanity by whomever performed. 
Sincerely vours, 

M. A. Healy, 
Captain U. S. Revenue Marine. 
Rev. Sheldon Jackson, 

Bureau of Education, Washington, D. O. 

Sitka contract sc/tooL— Presbyterian. In the sping of 1885, 35 picked young men, 
between the ages of 16 and 25 years, were taken from Mr. Duncan's colony at Met- 
lakahtla into the industrial training school at Sitka. After a period of four yeavs 
22 have left the school. Out of the 35, in addition to the ordinary studies of th" 
schoolroom, 21 have learned to speak and read the English language; 21 have 
become good musicians and singers; 5 have learned to play on the cabinet organ; 9 
have become members of the school brass band; 13 of the 35 were tobacco chewers 
and smokers before entering school, but after entering the school none of the others 
learned the habit; 7 learned the shoemaker's trade; 8 became carpenters ; 4, black- 
smiths; 2, coopers; 2, steamboat engineers; 4, house painters; 1, printer; 1, pho- 
tographer; 6 had a training in a sawmill; and 3 became tailors. 

Metlakahtla contract school.— This model settlement under the fostering care ol 
Mr. William Duncan, the Acteran missionary, continues to llourish. There are no« 
about 100 neat frame houses in the village; the output of the salmon cannery lasl 
season was about 6,000 cases; it is the intention to increase its capacity to at leasl 
20,000 cases. The other principal industries are a saw and planing mill wL»^'h fur 
nish all the lumber needed in the vicinity. Of Metlakahtla one of the tourist* 
writes: 

" Metlakahtla is truly the full realization of the missionaries' dream of aborigina 
restoration. The church is architecturally pretentious and can seat 1,200 persons 
It baa a belfry and spire, vestibule, gallery across the front, groined arches and pul 
pit carved by hand, organ and choir, Brussels carpet in the aisles, stained glass win 
dows, and all the appointments and embellishments of a lirst-class sanctuary; am 
it is wholly native handiwork. The dwelling houses are neat and attractive. The; 
have inclosed llower gardens and macadamized sidewalks 10 feet wide along th 
entire street. The women weave clotU idS gavmejits, and the people dress tasteful 1; 
in modern garb." 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 877 



PUIJLIC SCHOOLS. 



KADIAK IHSTKK'T. 



Eadiak. — C. C. Solter, teacher; ourollmeiit, 69; ])0|)ulation, Russian Creoles. Mr. 
Soltcr writes : " I opened school on the 8th of SeiJtember. The number enrolled the 
tirst day was 27. The appearance of the children impressed me favorably. All 
came neatly dressed and clean ; their faces showed signs of intelligence and Ihny 
very soon showed their desire to learn. Most of the pupils are anxious to be on 
time in the morning, and some frequently went without their breakfast rather than 
be tardy. On the whole the school has made as rapid progress as could be expected. 
All that were regular in attendance have done well, while some have done exceed- 
ingly well. The deportment of my pupils has been such as to deserve commenda- 
tion. I have never seen a class of better behaved children than I have in my school, 
and consequently the government of the same has not been a very difficult task. 
We had an entertainment at the close of school, which was quite a success. The 
visitors enjoyed the exercises very much, especially the singing, and were loud in 
their praises. The children take the greatest delight in singing, and as I have 
secured the use of an organ for next winter, a lively time is expected. I am study- 
ing the Russian language and shall soon be able to converse with the parents in 
their own tongue." 

Jfognak. —Mva. C. M. Colwell, teacher; enrollment, 35; population, Russian 
Creoles. The prevalence of an epidemic during the early part of the year inter- 
fered greatly with the attendance upon school. There is a great deal of poverty in 
the district in which Afoguak is situated, and the teacher in the kindness of her 
heart frequently supplied her pupils with material as well as intellectual food. She 
writes that here, as in all the other schools in Alaska, the children are bright and 
anxious to learn. 

Unga. — O. R. McKinney, teacher; enrollment, 33; population, Russian Creoles. 
Mr. McKinney writes : " I was greatly encouraged by the personal appearance of the 
pupils and by the interest they took in their studies after I had startedthem in their 
work. It took me some time to get them to talk to me or even to speak English at 
all, although 1 knew that some of them could speak English quite well. I overcame 
this by degrees, however, and then forbade them to speak either in Russian or Aleut. 
The result of this is that they now talk to each other in English instead of Russian. 
They have advanced much more rapidly than I expected." 

SITKA DISTHICT. 

Juneau No. i.— Lilly O. Relchling, teacher; enrollment, 26; population, Americans. 
Owing to the fact that a number of parents whoso children had attended school 
moved away from the town during the year, the number of pupils enrolled was 
slightly smaller than during the previous year. However, the seating capacity of 
the present school house is severely taxed, but the narrow limits of the Congres- 
sional appropriation made it impossible to erect a larger building. 

Juneau No. ^.— Mrs. W. S. Adams, teacher; enrollment, 75; population, Thlingets. 
Mrs. Adams is enthusiastic in her commendation of the aptitude of the native chil- 
dren. She writes: " The year has been a profitable one, and the influence of educa- 
tion is plainly discernible in the intelligent faces of the little brown children. We 
have a special day set apart for visitors, and those who come express surprise and 
admiration at the intelligence displayed by our pupils. The children have formed 
themselves into a society, elect their own officers, conduct their own meetings, and 
do it in a manner that astonishes people who visit the school." 

Douglas No. i.— Mrs. A. M. Clark, teacher; enrollment, 25; population, American. 
The Treadwell gold mine, the largest gold mine in Alaska, is situated upon Douglas 
Islatad, and this school is attended by the children of the miners employed there. 
Mrs. Clark displayed great energy in interesting and advancing the pupils under 
her care. During the year a literary entertainment was held, the proceeds of which 
were used in purchasing an organ for the use of the school. 

DoM(7/asiVb.i?.— Miss Millie Mohler, teacher; enrollment, 24; population, Thlingets. 
The majority of the children in regular attendance upon this school are inmates of 
the home maintained upon Douglas Island by the Friends' Mission. Miss Mohler 
writes: "In addition to other studies I have taught sewing to boys and girls alike. 
They pieced and ([uilted a patchwork quilt that would have done credit to our 
grandmothers, besides mending clothes and working in letters and cardboard." 

KiUisnoo.—E. M. Calvin, teacher; enrollment, 33; population, Thlingets and 
Russian Creoles. 

Sitka No. i.— Miss Cassia Patton, teacher; enrollment, 59; population, Americana 
and Russian Creoles. This school is attended by the children of the Government 
officials at Sitka, and the teacher being one of the most experienced and efficient in 
the Territory, the school is one of the most satisfactory in Alaska. 



878 EDUCATION REPORT, 1891-92. 

Sitlca No. g. — Mrs. Lena Vanderbilt, teacher ; eurollment, 54 ; population, Thlingets. 
Here, as elsewhere ia the Territory, irregularity in attendance was the greatest 
drawback to progress. The Thlingets are a sociable people. During the spring the 
natives visit their friends in the neighboring settlements, and at that season the 
beautiful waters of the magnificent fjords are covered with canoes carrying whole 
villages of natives — men, women, and children, on social pleasures bent. Later iu 
the season hunting and fishing expeditions are in order. Carelessness as to prompt 
attendance is also a great discouragement to the teacher. Mrs. Vanderbilt writes : 
" While many of the natives have clocks in their houses, few of them are ever wound 
up, and when they are a very small number keep anything like the correct time. 
The increase in attendance during the winter was due to a great extent to the exer- 
tions of the local school committee, who visited the native villages from time to 
time in the interests of the schools. 

"The natural intelligence of the native children, the general interest they show 
while in school, and the advancement many of them have made are all matters of 
encouragement to the teacher. Some have advanced far enough to appreciate the 
value of their studies, and I expect that gradually the influence of their advance- 
ment upon the other children who do not attend school will be very beneficial, 

"I desire to note the uniformly good behavior of the pupils while in the school 
room. They seldom require reproof or correction; they are generally attentive and 
give me no trouble whatever." 

Wrangell. — Miss E. Tolman, teacher; enrollment, 49; population, Thlingets. Miss 
Tolman writes: "When I entered upon my duties my hopes for the rapid advance- 
ment of the class before me were not very bright. Perhaps it was because I realized 
the extent of the undertaking that the results of my efforts have surpassed my 
brightest expectations. Be that as it may, my opinion of the brain power of the 
natives of Alaska has materially changed since I have become acquainted with it. 
Those of my class who h&v& mastered the art of how to study have done remarkably 
well. Not only have they done well in their regular lessons from books, but they 
manifest great interest in various subjects that I introduce as a change." 

Jackson. — Mrs. Clara G. Gould, teacher; enrollment, 100; population, Hydah. 
This school is the most isolated in southeast Alaska. During the seven years of its 
existence it has been under the charge of Mrs. McLeod, who thoroughly understands 
the dispositions of the natives, and she has succeeded wonderfully well in training 
and elevating the younger natives at Jackson. 

Haines. — Rev. W. W. Warne, teacher ; enrollment, 89 ; population, Thlingets. Mr. 
Warne writes: " The school has made better progress than I could have expected. 
Indeed, I feel quite delighted with some of the results. Some of my scholars have 
certainly made excellent progress. Those who commenced last fall did not know the 
alphabet, and by the end of the term were well along in the second reader. Every- 
body sefema friendly and glad to have the school." 

MISSION SCHOOLS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 

Rev. T. H. Cauham, who for the past year kept a good school at the mouth of the 
Tanana, has this fall removed several hundred miles up the river to Fort Selkirk, 
where ho intends opening a new school. 

The school at Buxton will probably be conducted by Bishop Bompas, assisted by 
Dr. Toty. 

The Killing of Charles H. Edwards and the Outrage upon J. E. Coxnett. 

In August, 1891, a schoolhouse was built and a school established at Kake vil- 
lage, an isolated settlement on Kupreanoff Island, about 100 miles south of Douglas 
Island, in a wild region quite beyond the influences of civilization. The school was 
given in charge of Mr. Charles H. Edwards, who had been very successful as teacher 
of the native school at Douglas. In his new field he was 50 miles from the nearest 
white man. Among the supplies furnished to Mr. Edwards were an organ and a 
stereopticon, and he soon succeeded in attracting the natives. In a short time the 
small schoolhouse was tilled to its utmost capacity, and it became necessary to 
divide the school into three sections. In the morning the small children came and 
kindergarten work occupied their attention ; in the afternoon reading and writing 
were taught to the young people, and in the evening a session was held at which no 
books were used, the efi'orts of the teacher being directed to giving his pupils prac- 
tice in conversing in English. 

It was not long before troubles came. Whisky found its way into the village. In 
one of his letters Mr. Edwards writes : 

" Yes; I am lonely. Not a white face have I seen since our steamer left us. Two 
nights ago a canoe brought in quite an amount of whisky. One chief and all his 
retinue were gloriously drunk. All night long they kept up an infernal hammering 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 879 

on an Indian clnim, and tlie maudlin voices of men and -women mingled m savage 
songs. I could not eleeji. Next morning I went around to see what was the matter, 
and euch a sight as met my eyes! Half nude human beings in all attitudes, their 
etaring, intoxicated eyes reminding one of an insane asylum. The only thing you 
can do with a drunken man is to let him sober up. No impression made upon him is 
lasting. So I let them linish their revel, as they could get no drunker. Since they 
have sobered up they are ashamed to speak to me. I am becoming an ultra whisky 
hater." 

The account of the final tragedy and subsequent occurrences is best given in the 
words of tlj6 examiner who, under instructions of the Department of Justice, inves- 
tigated the matter : 

" Towai-d the evening of January 10, 1892, a sloop with Maicolm Campbell and 
Emery Elliott.on board came into the harbor about 3 miles from the Indian village, 
aud commenced trading whisky to the Indians. What Mr. Edwards knew concern- 
ing this illicit traffic we shall never know; suffice it to say that an Indian named 
Squanish purchased $5.50 of whisky from them, which, when Mr. Edwards found out, 
he poured into the bay. They offered his interpreter, Jimmie Coffin, whisky to 
drink, but he refused. They gave Tah a lioo whisky to drink and he drank it. ' They 
gave whisky to the six or eight Indians who went in advance of Mr. Edwards' party 
and went into the cabin of the sloop. Mr. Edwards had been frequently annoyed 
by the results of the sale of liquor to the Indians, and his own life had many times 
been jeopardized. He therefore resolved to see with his own eyes and convince him- 
self that the parties then in the harbor with the sloop were violating the laws of the 
land, and if they were that he would exercise his right as a citizen and his duty 
under the laws of Oregon to arrest them and take them forthwith with all speed to 
Wrangel and there deliver them up to the authorities. For this purpose he called 
a meeting of the Kake Indians at the school house; he informed them of the objects 
of the meeting. After opening the meeting with a song he requested 14 volunteers 
to assist him in finding out whether these men on the sloop were actually violating 
tlie law or not, and, if they were, to go prepared to arrest them and start immediately 
to Yv^rangel — not armed to the teeth nor with handcuffs — but with small cords in 
his pockets, to bind them safely and conduct them thither. 

"A canoe with the larger numljer of the volunteers proceeded to the sloop under 
his directions to find out what Avas being done on board, and he followed himself in 
a smaller canoe with the rest of the volunteers. When he arrived at the sloop the 
Indians who had preceded him were engnged in drinking whisky furnished by the 
occupants of the sloop. Mr. Edwards was particular to see for himself that the 
Indians were drinking. He was particular to know that it was whisky they were 
drinking. Then he gave orders to bind the two men. The cabin was srnall, and with 
the two men and the six or more Indians in it there was not much chance to do any- 
thing. The Indians informed him that the men were getting the advantage of them 
then he had those Indians on the outside who could not get in tear the roof off the 
the cabin, and he threw down the ropes ho had with him to bind them. This hav- 
ing been done he oegan to clear the sloop for sailing. He had the anchor raised and 
requested all the Indians to leave tlie sloop and return to the village, leaving him 
only and two Indians to man the sloop. He had the Indians take on shore with 
them a revolver and a rifle, presuming no doubt that they were all the firearms on 
board. These he ordered to be placed in the schoolhouse. The Indians also took a 
field-glass and the keg, which was partially filled with whisky. When alone on the 
sloop with these two Indians and the two desperate smugglers he had not counted 
on the possibility of any more firearms being on board, but Malcolm Campbell, the 
owner of the sloop, managed to get his left hand loose, reached under the foot of the 
bed and got a revolver, andshotat Mr. Edwards three several times, mortally wound- 
ing him, and immediately thereafter shot the other two Indians, one Avith the 
revolver, so that he jumped into the water and never afterward was seen or heard of. 
The other while attempting to escape by swimming was shot at with his rifle and 
he was never more seen or heard of. Campbell's associate on the sloop, Emery Elli- 
ott, managed to get his hands loose and cut the cords which bound Campbell's feet, 
and thus both were liberated. They then proceeded to get away from the place. 
They tound the anchor already up, and they said that they attempted to make 
Wrangel with the wounded man, but they said the Aviuds were contrary. They next 
tried to make Juneau, but met Avith a head wind and could not. They, however, 
reached a point near Point Gardner. After this they sailed for Killisnoo and Avere 
there met by Dan Campbell, a retail liquor dealer of Douglas City, who with 
another party started out of Douglas in another sloop hunting for them, fearing from 
their long absence that +hey had met with an accident or been captured. Here 
Jimmie Blaine saw the wounded man, Mr. Edwards, all but unconscious, he being 
the only known white man, other than Campbell and Elliott, who saw Mr. Edwards 
alive and conscious, or partially so, after receiving his wound. Here he was fur- 
nished with the only food he obtained since receiving the wounds throe days before, 



880 



EDUCATION REPORT, 1891-92. 



yet strange to say, this man Jimtuie Blaine was never called upon to testify in any 
of the cases or at the coroner's inquest. 

"The object of their devious sailing was accomplished. The victim was uncon- 
scious, no ante-mortem statement could be got from him; dead men, or unconscious 
men, tell no tales. They arrived at Sitka about thirty-sis hours after the infliction 
of the wounds, and the victim died about ten hours thereafter. 

"A coroner's inquest was held over the remains, but the only testimony produced 
before the jury was that of the physicians as to the cause of his death, the clerk of 
the court as to the identity of the remains, and the testimony of the self-confessed 
murderer and his accomplice as to the manner of his receiving the wounds which 
caused his death. The jury, in writing, asked for further testimony, but none was. 
furnished; they ask for instructions, but they are informed by the U. S. commis- 
sioner, ex officio coroner, that instructions are useless; that it is simply a case of 
piracy — piracy on the high seas. And, of course, Malcolm Campbell is justified in 
the deed." 

Subsequently, Malcolm Campbell and Emery Elliott were convicted of giving 
liquor to Indians and were lined $40 each, in satisfaction of which Malcolm Camp- 
bell served in jail six days and paid $28, and Emery Elliott was confined in jail tea 
days and paid $20. 

Campbell was also held for manslaughter in the sum of $1,000, but his case when 
presented to the grand jury at Juneau was ignored by them. 

For writing a statement of the whole aft'air, L)r. James E. Conuett, of the Friends' 
mission at Douglas, was waited upon by a band of masked outlaws, called out of 
bed at about midnight on April 24, upon the pretext that a miner had been badly 
injured and needed surgical attendance, and deliberately tarred and feathered. 

As soon as the miners at the Treadwell mines, Douglas City, heard how Dr. Con- 
uett had been outraged, they held a meeting and resolved to raise $500 to assist in 
brin<?ing to justice the perpetrators of the crime. However, no efforts were mat'a 
by the officials to ferret out. the matter. 

T.vr.LK 1. — Enrollment and monthhj attendance, 1891-1892. 



Schools. 



rvhlio. 
Sitka— 

Ko. 1 

No. 2 

Juneau — 

No.l 

Ko.2 

Douglas - 

No. 1 

No 2 

Killisnoo 

"WraDgel 

Jacksou 

Haines 

Klawack 

Kake 

Kadiak 

TTnga 

Karluk 

Afognak 

Contract. 

Anvik 

Point Hopo 

Metlakahtla 

Bethel 

Cannel 

Hoonali 

Sitka 

Point Barrow 

Unalaska 

Nulato 

Kosoriffsky 

Capo Vancouvor 

Cape Princo of AVales 

TJnalaklik 

Yakatat 




REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



881 



Table 2. — Number in sundry Iranchea of studtj. 



Schools. 


1 

V 

oi 

e 


•a 
a 
o 

V ■ 


3 

3 

H 




3 

-J 

"t. » 
'bb 

a 


-a 
P< 

2 

CIO 


<o 



d 



B 

.3 
< 


a 

G 





3 




* . 

c 41 

i 


'3 

'3 


Ml 

u 

"u 


"3 






to 


rublic. 
Sitka- 

No.l 


16 

28 

12 

5 
5 
22 
13 
34 
22 
10 
CO 
15 
12 
29 
9 

13 
44 
17 
10 
8 
73 


20 

5 
12 

8 
8 
5 

14 
33 
31 
16 


20 
20 

12 
13 

6 

"i 

9 
12 

"2 


32 
50 

19 
37 

14 
12 
4 
36 
20 
20 


56 

13 
25 

11 

"9' 
14 


20 
2 

8 
13 

11 
12 
2 
9 
9 


40 
50 

18 
25 

11 
12 

6 
36 
32 

2 
10 
60 
27 
15 
29 
22 

34 

27 
83 
30 
17 
32 






32 
6 


'56' 

8 
25 

11 
12 


9 
6 
8 


56 
50 

21 
25 

11 
12 
29 
36 
93 
18 
11 
60 
33 
31 
29 
27 

14 

27 
83 
30 
11 
32 






No. 2 


1 
6 


50 


.... 


18 


Jnneiui— 

No. 1 




No. 2 






Douglas — 

No.l 


11 
"4' 


25 
12 
29 
36 
93 








No. 2 




19 








"9' 


9 
9 


9 








14 


4 










2 
"9' 






2 


2 

6a 

6 
31 


"3' 




Kake 




60 
11 
2 




60 


1 




Katliak 


13 

15 

6 

8 
27 
49 
20 

6 
45 


19 

4 

"4' 


30 
19 
11 
23 

12 












1 


Kariuk 




29 
23 




1 




22 

34 
56 
83 
30 


15 
34 

'oe' 

"3' 

32 




23 


4 




25 


Contiact. 


















Metlakahtla 


17 
"3 


83 

30 

9 

45 


47 




66 




66 


"% 


20 




"i 








3 


3 




3 










Sitka 














Point Barrow 


16 


4 
10 


"'4' 


20 
22 






20 
20 




















17 








20 




20 




16 














:::::;: 




























... La- 






















Cape Prince of Wales 


163 
26 
40 






163 
15 
57 


'64' 
57 


163 
64 

1 


163 
64 
11 












81 
04 
57 


1 


Unalaklik 

Yakutat 


38 
16 


"i" 


"i' 


64 
57 


.... 


04 


5 

1 


5 


3& 

8 







882 



EDUCATION REPORT, 1891-92. 
Table 3. — Highest enrollment, 1885-1892. 



Public scliools. 



Afognak 

Douglas City- 
No.! 

No.2 

Fort Wrangel . 

Haines 

Jackson 

Juneau — 

No.l 

No.2 

Kadiak 

Karluk 

Killisnoo 

Klawack 

Sitka— 

No.l 

No.2 

Unga 

Kake 



Contract schools. 



Sitka 

Bethel 

Carmel 

Nulato 

Kosoriflfsky 

Anvik 

Uetlakahtla 

Hoonah 

I'oint Barrow 

Cape Prince of "Wales , 

TJnalaska 

Point Hope 

Cape Vancouver 

TJnalaklik 

Takutat 



(a) 



(a) 
(a) 



(a) 
(a) 
(a) 
(a) 
(a) 



(a) 
(a) 



45 



1886-'87. 



(a) 

(a) 



106 
43 
123 



(a) ^ 
(a)' 



125 

184 

60 
138 
35 



(a) 



100 
13 



1887-'88. 



(a) 



106 
144 
110 

25 
67 
81 



(a) 



(a) 



(a) 



90 
128 
105 

36 

58 
68 



(o) 



(o) 
(a) 



170 
26 
20 



30 
166 



(a) 



(a) 



(a) 



104 
39 
31 



1890-'91. 



(a) 



(a) 
(a) 



164 
30 

18 



51 
44 
171 
171 
38 
304 
47 
64 



189]-'92. 



25 
24 
49 
89 
106 

26 
75 
69 
29 
33 
38 

59 
54 
33 
61 



157 
34 
28 
20 
73 
36 

154 

171 
33 

16« 
35 
78 
20 
72 
57 



oNo school. 
Table 4. — Amounts contributed by the churches and Government to the contract schools. 



Contract schools. 


Pupils, 

1891-'92. 


Expended by Government. 


Expended by societies, 
1891-'92. (a) 


Board- 
ers. 


Day. 


1887-'88. 


1888-'89. 


1889-'90. 


1890-'91. 


1891-'92. 


Name. 


Amount. 




5 


31 
78 
147 

"io" 

171 

33 
17 
20 
11 
20 
1G8 

25 


$500 

(6) 

(6) 
500 
300 

(&) 

(6) 

(6) 
(6) 
(6) 
(&) 
(6) 
(6) 

(6) 


$1,000 
(6) 

2,500 
1,000 
1,000 
(M 

12, 500 

(&) 
(6) 
(6) 
(&) 
(6) 
(6) 

(&) 


$1, 000 
1,000 
3,000 
1,000 
1,000 
(6) 

18, 000 

1,000 
1,200 
1, 500 \ 
1, 500 5 

(6) 
1,000 

(6) 


$1,000 
2,000 
3,000 
1,000 
1,000 
200 

15, 000 

2,000 
2,000 

3, 050 ^ 

(6) 
2,000 

(&) 


$1, 000 X 
2, 000 5 
2,500 
1, 000 I 
1,000 5 
2, 000 1 

11, 000 i 

2, 000 J 
2,000 
1,000) 
1, 000 } 
1, 000 ) 
2,000 

1,000 


Episcopal 

Independent.. 
Moravian 

Presbyterian . 

Methodist 

Catholic 

Cong rega- 
tional. 

Swedish-Evan- 
gelical. 


$1,187.61 




iletlakahtla 

Bethel 


7 
34 
18 


5, 000. 06 

6, 613. 37 








Sitka industrial 
school. 


157 


31, 724. 85 


TJnalaska 


18 


1, 953. 53 


Kosorififaky 


62 


10, 300. 00 


Cape Prince of 

Wales. 
Unalaklik 


47 


4, 107. 65 
7, 325. 00 



a Amounts expended by missionary associations, in addition to subsidies received from the Govern- 
«nent. 

t No school or no subsidy. 




MRS TILLIE PAUL AND CHILDREN. NATIVE TEACHER, SITKA INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



883 



Appropriations for education in Alaska. 

First grant to eatablisb schools, 1884 $25,000 

Annual grants, eohool year— 

1886-^87 15,000 

1887-'88 25,000 

1888-'89 40,000 

1889- '90 50,000 

1890-'91 50,000 

1891-'92. „.,,,,,, 50,000 

Personnel, Salaries, etc. 

General agent of education for Alaska, Dr. Sheldon Jackson, Alaska, $1,200 ; assist- 
ant agent of education for Alaska, William Hamilton, Pennsylvania, $1,200; super- 
intendent of schools for the southeastern district, James Sheakley, Pennsylvania, $480. 

During the past three years the schools in southeastern Alaska have been under 
the direct supervision of Hon. James Sheakley, to whose judicious oversight their 
success has largely been due. Mr. Sheakley, having decided to return to the States, 
resigned his position as superintendent of schools for the southeastern district, and 
was succeeded by Mr. W. A. Kelly, formerly superintendent of the Industrial Train- 
ing School at Sitka. Mr. Kelly entered upon his duties on May 1, 1892. 

ADVISORY BOARD. 

Hon. Lyman E. Knapp, governor of Alaska, Vermont, $200; Hon. John S. Bugbee, 
U. S. district judge, California, $200. 

LOCAL SCHOOL COMMITTEES (WITHOUT SALARY), 

Sitka, Edward de Groff, N. K. Peckinpaugh, John G. Brady; Juneau, Karl Koehler, 
John G. Heid, Eugene S. Willard; Douglas, P. H. Fox, G. E. Shotter, S. R. Moon; 
Wrangel, Thomas A. Willson, Rufus Sylvester, W. G. Thomas ; Jackson, J. W. Youug, 
W. D. McLeod, G. Loomis Gould; Metlakahtia, W. Duncan, D. J. Leask; Kadiak, 
N, Kashevarotf, F, Sargent; Unga, N. Guttridge, M. Dowd; Unalaska, N. S. Reesofif, 
N. B. Anthony. 

Teachers of public schools. 



Name. 



Mrs. TV. S. Adams. 

E.M.Calvin 

Mrs. A. M. Clark ... 
Mrs.C.M. Col well.. 

C.H.Edwards 

N.Faodorff 

Miss M. Mohler . . . . 

O. R. McKinney 

Mrs. C. G. McLeod . 

Miss C. Patton 

Miss L. O. Reichlins 

G.C.Solter 

Miss E. Tolman 

Mrs. L. Vanderbilt . 

W. W. "Waruo 

H.C.Wilson 



State. 



Alaska 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Alaska 

Kansas 

California 

Kansas 

Pennsylvania. . 
West Virginia. 
Pennsylvania. . 

California 

Washington. .. 

Oregon 

....do 

New Jersey . . . 
Ohio 



School. 



Juneau, No. 2 . 

Killisono 

Douglas, No. 2 

Afognat 

Kake 

Karlnk 

Douglas, No. 2 

Unga 

JacKson 

Sitka, No. 1 . . . 
Juneau, No. 1 . 

Kadiak 

Wrangel 

Sitka, No. 2... 

Haines 

Klawack 



Salary. 



$720 
900 
720 
720 
900 
900 
720 

1, 000 
720 
900 
720 

1,000 
720 
720 
900 
720 



TEACHERS AND EMPLOYlfiS IN CONTRACT SCHOOLS. 



Anvik (Episcopal).— Rer. John W. Chapman, Vermont; Rev. O. Parker, Oregon. 

Point Hope (Episcopal). — John B. Driggs, M. D., Delaware. 

Kosoriffsky (Roman Catholic). — Rev. Paschal Tosi, Sister Mary Stephen, Sister 
Mary Joseph, John Burke, John Nagro, Mrs. Emma Bandouin, Sister Mary Paulina. 

Cape Vancouver (Roman Catholic). — Rev. Joseph Treca, Rev. Paul Muset, Mr. 
John Rosati. 

Nulato (Roman Catholic). — Rev. Robaut, Rev. Ragaru. 

Bethel (Moravian). — Rev. John H. Kilbuck, Rev. Ernst L. Weber, Mrs. John H. 
Kilbuck, Mrs. E. L. Weber, Miss Lydia Lebus. 

Carmel (Moravian).— Rev. F. E. "WoliF, Mrs. F. E. Wolff, Miss Mary Huber, Miss 
Emma Huber, Kev. J. A, Schoechert. 



884 . EDUCATION REPORT, 1891-92. 

Cape Prince of Wales (Congregational). — Mr. H. R. Thornton, of Virginia; Mr. 
W. T. Lopp, of Indiana. 

Point Barrow (Presbyterian). — Mr. Leajicler M. Stevenson, of Ohio, 

Sitka (Presbyterian). — W. A. Kelly, principal; Eev. E. A. Austin, chaplain; Miss 
Anna R. Kelsey, matron of girls' department; Mrs. A. E. Austin, matron of boys' 
•department; Mrs. S. A. Saxman, assistant matron of boys' department; Mrs. M.'C. 
De Vorc, teacher of schoolroom No. 2; Mrs. Clarence Thwing, teacher of schoolroom 
No. 1; Miss Frances Willard (native), primary teacher; Miss Mate Brady, in charge 
of sewing department; Mrs. Maggie Simson, in charge of laundry department; Miss 
Kate A. Rankin, in charge of cooking department; Mrs. Josie Overend, in charge of 
girls' hospital; Mrs. Tillie Paul (native), iu charge of boys' hospital; Miss Georgio 
Guest, in charge of teachers' cooking department; Mr. J. A. Shields, carpentry 
department; Mr. A. T. Simson, boot and shoe department; Mr. Ernest Struven, cooper 
department; Mr. John Gamble, general work; Dr. Clarence Thwing, physician; 
William Wells (native), interpreter. 

Unalaska (Methodist). — Mr. John A. Tuck, Mrs. John A. Tuck, and Miss LydiaF. 
Richardson. 

Metlakahtla. — Mr. William Duncan, Mr. James F. McKee, Mrs. James F. McKee. 

Unalalaklik (Swedish Evangelical). — Rev. Axel E. Karlsou, Augustus Anderson, 
David Johnson, Miss Hannah Sweusou. 

Yakutat (Swedish Evangelical). — Rev. Albert Johnson, Rev. K.J. Henrickson, Miss 
Anna Carlson, Selma Peterson, Agnes Walliu. 

TEACHERS IN PRIVATE AND CHURCH SCHOOLS. 

Hoonah (Presbyterian). — Rev. John W. McFarland, Mrs. M. D. McFarland, Fred- 
eric L, Moore (native). 

.Jimeau (Presbyterian). — Rev. Eugene S. Willard, Mrs. E. S. Willard, Miss Eliza- 
beth Matthews, Miss Margaret Dunbar, Rev. S. H. King, Mrs. S. H. King. 

Juneau(Roman Catholic). — Rev, JohnAlthoff, Sister Mary Zeno, Sister Mary Peter, 
Sister Mary Bousecouer. 

Jackson (Presbyterian). — Mrs. A. R. McFarland, Miss C. A. Baker, Rev. J. Loomis 
<jiould, Mrs. J. L. Gould. 

Douglas (Friends). — Mr. S. R. Moon, Mrs. S. R. Moon, Mr. E. W. Weesner, Mrs. E. 
W. Weesner, Mr. C. H.Edwards. 

St. Paul Island (North American Commercial Company). — Simeon MilevedoflF. 

St. George Island (North American Commercial Company). — A. L. Noyes, m. r>. 

Nuklukahyet Yukon River (Church of England). — Rev. and Mrs. T. H. Canham. 

Buxton, Yukon River (Church of England). — Rt. Rev. Bompas. 

Rampart House, Yukon River (Church of England). — Rev, C. G, Wallia. 

Supervision. 

In accordance with your instructions, and by the courtesy of the honorable Sec- 
retary of the Treasury and Capt. L. G. Shepard, acting chief of the Revenue Marine 
Division, I was allowed transportation on the U. S. S. Bear, Capt. M. A. Healy, com- 
manding. On the 2d of May, 1892, I started for my third summer's work on the 
coast of Siberia and Arctic Alaska. We reached Unalaska on the 22dof May, where 
I found the school in a tJourishing condition. From Unalaska we proceeded to the 
Seal Islands, where I secured the statistics of the schools kept by the North Amer- 
ican Commercial Company, a statement of which has already been given. From 
the Seal Islands we went to St. Matthew Island, where the captain rescued one of a 
party of three who had been left on the island the preceding season for the purpose 
of hunting polar bear. The other two men were not found, and are supposed to 
have been drowned. From St. Matthew Island the ship passed directly over to Cape 
Navarin, Siberia, which was reached on the 6th of June. It was the intention to 
have secured a load of reindeer at this point, but the surf was so heavy that no land- 
ing could be made. 

From Cape Navarin a course was taken to the settlement on the northwest point 
of St. Lawrence Island, where the village and schoolhouse were inspected. From 
St. Lawrence Island we attempted again to make the coast of Asia in the neighbor- 
hood of Indian Point, but, being headed off by the great tields of ice, the captain 
changed his course and attempted to make King Island, in doing which he got fast 
in the ice, and was only able to reach the mission school at Cape Prince of Wales. 
But, after being kept three days a prisoner in the ice, the captain determined to 
break his way through. The shocks received made the ship tremble from bow to 
stern. In attempting to force his way through the ice, he broke one of the blades of 
the propeller, but by continuous work finally reached clear water to the eastward, 
and on the 15tU of June moored the ship to a large field of ice off Kadiak Island. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 885 

This waa tte village that last September wo found to bo in a starving condition, 
but the food so generously issued by Cnpt. Hcaly liad tided them over until tlioseal 
and the walrus came in their vicinitj', so that wo found them in good condition. 
Being anxious to ascertain tho fate of the teacher at Capo Prince of Wales, an effort 
was made to reach that point through tho ice. After great difficulty in ramming 
his way through the ice, we came on tho morning of tho 16th of June within 4 
miles of the place where, the ice being too solid for further progress, tho ca])tain 
very reluctantly turned and made for Golovin Bay, whore it liad been reported that 
some miners were out of provisions and in a starving condition. At Golovin Bay 
communication was opened with the miners. \\'hile waiting for the party to get 
ready to sail, a flying triji was made to St. Michael, where tho teachers, missionaries, 
and traders along the great Yukon River were waiting for the annual vessel and 
supplies from San Francisco. On the 21st of Juno the miners at Golovin Bay were 
taken on board, and on the 22d taken to St. Michael. While at St. Michael I had an 
opportunity of conferring with the teachers and examining some of the pupils of the 
various schools. 

The annual arrival of the steamer bringing missionaries and traders from up the 
Yukon River 2,000 miles is the great event of tho year at St. Michael. The river 
steamer Jrc^fc is here met by tho ocean steamer Si. Paul, from San Francisco, and 
for a week or two this little settlement, cut off from the world eleven months in the 
year, is a scene of bustling activity. Tho furs of all northern and central Alaska are 
gathered here for shipment to market, and tho provisions and trade goods of civil- 
ization for the coming year are brought up for distribution in the interior. It is a 
unique gathering, the only one of the kind that now takes place in the United States. 
From over into the British possessions, Fort Selkirk, 2,000 milesor more up thoriver, 
comes Mr. A. Harper, a pioneer trader, who has been 20 years in the country. Business 
is so brisk that he is proposing to establish a branch store 200 miles farther up the 
stream, which will bring him within a few hundred miles of tho settlements of south- 
eastern Alaska. It is believed that a mail route should bo established across the 
country from Juneau to the mines on the Yukon. A mail not exceeding 250 ijounds 
weight could be carried for, making four trips a year, at a rate not to exceed $1,500 
the round trip. The best route is over the White Pass, which comes out on the 
Yukon at Windy Arm Lake. There is timber along the whole route. Winter on the 
Upper Yukon lasts from September to May. Rev. and Mrs. T. H. Canham, of Fort 
Adams, will open a new station there this fall. 

In the United States Postal Guide is Mitchell Post-Office, Alaska. 1 do not believe 
that over 100 of the 60,000,000 American citizens, if asked, could designate its loca- 
tion on the map. It is 1,400 miles above the mouth of the Yukon, near the junction 
of Forty Mile Creek with the Yukon River, and is the only post-office for the coun- 
try for 1,000 miles around. The postmaster is Mr. L. N. (Jack) McQueston, the 
trader, another pioneer trader of twenty years' standing. Tho office receives a chance 
mail from the States once or twice a year. The salary amounts to from $2 to $3 per year. 
Last winter 108 men wintered at Forty-Mile Creek, which, by the way, is a river hun- 
dreds of miles long. Mr. McQueston raised 9 tons of turnips. Barley and oats grow 
and ripen well. A frost on the 7th of August, 1891, killed the potatoes. The placer 
gold mines in tho neighborhood of this trading post yield from $75,000 to $80,000 
worth of gold dust each season. It would bo money well expended towards the devel- 
opment of the country if Congress Avould make an appropriation for opening up a 
trail from the coast at Chilcat to tho headwaters of the Yukon, and give the hardy 
miners a more frecinent mail. 

Near tho trading station, on the east side of Forty-Mile Creek and south side of the 
Yukon River, is Buxton, the location of St. John's Mission of the English Church. 
This mission was established in 1888, the first missionary being Rev. J. W. Elling- 
ton. In 1890, through privations and hardships, he became insane, and in 1891 was 
returned to his friends in England. His station will be occupied by Right Rev. 
Bompas, Bishop of McKenzie River, for two years at Fort Adams. 

Rampart House : This is a Church of England Mission and a Hudson s Bay Com- 
pany's trading station on the Porcupine River, one of tho tributaries of tho Yukon. 
It was established in 1874. During the international boundary survey, by Messrs. 
Turner and McGrath in 1890-91, it was found to be 20 miles within the lines of tho 
United States. Conseciuently, in 1891 the place was moved 20 miles farther up 
the river to get within the British jurisdiction. In the summer of 1891 Rev. C. C. 
Wallis went by tho way of San Francisco to England, returning this season. 

Fort Yukon : The old buildings at Fort Yukon have been taken down by the Alaska 
Commercial Company, and the logs cut up for fuel for the steamer's furnaces. 

On the Upper Yukon, last winter, fish gave out in Jauuary, and tho natives sub- 
sisted on rabbits. On tho Keokuk, above Nulato, 3 or 4 died of starvation. One 
native subsisted on soup made from an old bearskin. 

St. James' Mission, at old Fort Adam.s, was established by Rev. T. 11. Canham, of 
the Church of England, in 1888. Mrs. Canham was the first white woman to cross 



886 EDUCATION Report, 1891-92. 

the Rocky Monntains north of the Arctic Circle in winter. This she did with her 
husLand on snow-shoes in 1888. The mission is 4 miles up the Yukon, on tlie north 
side of the mouth of Tonikokat Eiver and 18 miles below the mouth of theTanana, 
la 1891 Rev. J. L. Prevost was sent to this station by the Missionary Society of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Canham remained with him during the 
winter, and this summer removed to Buxton, leaving Mr. Prevost in sole charge of 
the station. At this school, the greatest attendance was 67, the least 15, and the 
average 32. During the winter of 1891-92 they had 67 pupils in school; average 
daily attendance, 23. There are about 800 natives in Tauaua Valley ; about 200 on 
the Yukon, between Tanana and the boundary ; about 100 permanently at Fort Adams, 
and about 75 at Tanana Station. 

Tanana Trading Station: This station is 8 miles down the Yukon River from St, 
James' Mission, and is kept by Mr. G. C. Bettles. This station is the winter head- 
quarters of the miners on the Koy-u-Kuk River. 

St. Peter Claver's Mission (Roman Catholic Church) is on the northwest bank of 
the Yukon River, at the old American station, about 2^ miles above the mouth of 
the Nulato River. There is also a trading station here, kept by a creole, H. Koker- 
ine, who has been a resident of Alaska for forty years. 

Anvik is the seat of Christ Church Mission of the Protestant Episcopal Church — 
on the south side of Anvik Eiver and west side of the Yukon, at the junction. It 
was established in 1887 by Rev. Octavius Parker and Rev. John W. Chapman. Mr. 
Parker retired in 1889, and in 1890 Mr. Marcus O. Cherry was sent in his place. Mr. 
Cherry returns to the States this fall. The trading station is in charge of Dennis 
Belkolf, a Sitka creole. 

Kozorifzky, Holy Cross Mission (Roman Catholic Church) is on the north bank of 
the Yukon, directly opposite the mouth of Shageluk Slough. This is their largest 
establishment in the Yukon River Valley, a school of 80 boarders, in charge of the 
following sisters of St. Ann (Mother House started in 1850, near Montreal), Mother 
Superior Mary Stephens, Sisters Mary Zephrena, Mary Prudence, Mary Joseph, Mary 
Englebert, and Mary Paulena. Father Tosi in 1891 raised 40 bushels of potatoes at the 
station, besides turnips (one of his turnips weighed 17 pounds and another 15^ 
pounds) and cabbages. 

Ikogmut, Russo-Greek Mission, Rev. Zacharias N. BelkofF, priest. 

Eight miles up the Yukon River from Anfreieft'ski and on the Kon-e-Kova River, 2 
miles above its mouth, is a trading station (north side), kept by Charles Peterson. 

At Kublik (mouth of Yukon) is a station kept by a Kamkoff creole. 

Unalacleet is a Swedish mission, composed of Rev. Axel E. Karlson, August Ander- 
son, David Johnson, and Hannah Swenson. They had 72 children in school last win- 
ter, with an average attendance of 22. They also have a dozen or more boarders, 
and will enlarge their buildings this season. They are also talking of a station at 
Golovin Bay. 

At Unalacleet is a living house, one and one-half stories high, 25 by 22 feet. The 
kitchen is 25 by 20 feet. The schoolhouse is two stories high, 20 by 22 feet. The 
workshop is 25 by 20 feet. There are a bath house and stables and several store 
houses. Four acres of ground are cleared up, upon which they will this year raise 
70 bushels of potatoes. They have 2 bulls, 2 cows, and 3 goats. 

Father Tosi, of the Roman Catholic Church, has selected a new site for a boarding- 
school, near Kusilvak Mountain, near the mouth of the Yukon River. He reports 
1,500 natives as living between Cape Vancouver and the mouth of the Yukon. 

Having transported the missionaries to St. Michael on the 23d of June, another 
start was made for Cape Prince of Wales, we anchoring in the port of Clarence on 
June 25, where we met Mr. W. T. Lopp, the teacher at Cape Prince of Wales. 
While at anchor at Cape Prince of Wales, the steam whaler Newport arrived from 
San Francisco, having on board Mr. and Mrs. Thornton and Miss Kittridge, for the 
mission school at Cape Prince of Wales; Mr. McClellan, a carjienter, for the erection 
of additional buildings at that point; Dr. Beaupre, for the Mission station at Point 
Barrow; also Messrs. Miner W. Bruce and Bruce Gibson, for the Reindeer Station. 
On the 28th of June, having been transferred to the steamer Neivport, I visited the 
school and station at Cape Prince of Wales. 

On the 29th of June I went ashore on what is known as the watering station, as 
the northeast side of Port Clarence Bay, and selected a site for the central and first 
reindeer station. A piece of driftwood had been set in the ground, with an empty 
barrel at its base, as a signal for ships. Upon this trunk of a tree we nailed our flag. 
A tent was borrowed from the missionaries at Cape Prince of Wales and another was 
furnished by Capt. Healey, which were kept on the spot to shelter the goods and 
supplies which a few hours afterward were landed from the steamer Newport. Port 
Clarence, which was known as Kaviayak Bay, was explored by Capt. Beechy, in 
August, 1829, and was named after the British King, then Dake of Clarence. The 
inner harbor was named after Lord Grantley, and Points Spencer and Jackson after 
distinguished officers of the royal navy. Port Si)encer, at the extremity of a low 



KEPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 887 

Band spit which extends some 10 miles from the coast, forms the southern and west- 
ern side of the harbor. This sand spit is low and marshy, w^th numerous lakes. 
From Point Spencer to Point Jackson, a distance of 2 miles, is the entrance to the 
bay. The northern and eastern shore of the bay rises from the sea to the mountains. 
Along the seashore are numerous lagoons and small lakes which, in their season, are 
covered with numerous wild fowl. The bay, in extent, is about 12 miles from east 
to west and 14 miles from north to south. At the extreme eastern end two narrow 
sand spits, extending from the northern and southern shores, inclose an inner har- 
bor, called Grantley Harbor. The entrance is about one-third of a mile across. It 
extends about 9 miles from east to west and 3 miles from north to south. At the 
eastern end of Grantley Harlior is a second strait, about 300 yards wide, which con- 
nects with a third body of w ater or inland lake, called by the natives Imourouk. 
Into this lake empty two rivers, the Aghee-ee-puk and Cov-vee-arak. Along this 
line of water courses is an inland road to Grantley Bay and Norton Sound. To the 
north of Grantley Harbor Mus-ik-a-charue Peak rises to a height of 1,600 feet. At 
the head of the sand spit between Port Clarence and Grantley Harbor is a large 
lagoon, and between the reindeer station, at the beach, and the pass through the 
highlands, on the north, are about a thousand fresh-water ponds, or small lakes. At 
the extreme northeast corner of Port Clarence, near Grantley Harbor, and upon a 
small mountain creek, I selected the locatipn of the headquarters of the reindeer 
station. A few miles distant from Grantley Harbor was the former location of the 
headquarters for this region of the Russo-American Telegraph Exploration of 1865 
and 1^67. The shores of the sound on the site of the reindeer station are formed of 
shingle, or water- worn stones. These shingled beaches become a marked character- 
istic of large sections of the coast in northern Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean. Of late 
years it has become the favorite rendezvous of the whaling fleet that gathers here 
about July 1 to await the arrival of a vessel from San Francisco with fresh pro- 
visions, coal, lumber, etc. It also enables them to ship the spring catch of whale- 
bone to San Francisco before entering the dangerous Arctic. Upon my first visit, 
about July 2, 1890, twenty-five whalers were at anchor off Port Spencer, awaiting the 
arrival of the ship. On June 30 I returned on the Bear, and the next day the captain 
weighed anchor for South Head Sound, Lawrence Bay, Siberia. 

From 2 to 8 o'clock p. m. we steamed through broken ice, and at 11:45 p. m. 
dropped anchor off the village. An ofiicer and some men were at once sent ashore, 
and by 6:30 a. m. the ship's launch returned with the first load of reindeer. At thia 
place we secured forty-one animals, also four native herders, who agreed to go with 
us and take charge of the herd on the American side. At 4 o'clock on the afternoon 
the captain dropped down the coast some eight miles to another camp, where twelve 
additional deer were secured, and at midnight weighed anchor aud stood north, 
steaming through heavy fields of ice. At 4 :30 our Asiatic interpreter, Rainbow by 
name, was landed at North Head, and at 5:30 that evening the ship came to anchor 
oif the reindeer station. The surf being too heavy, nothing was done that evening. 
Bright and early on the morning of the 4th of July (6 a. m.) the first boat-load of 
the first herd of domestic reindeer in Alaska and on the the continent of America 
was landed. The deer, with their fore feet tied together, were taken ashore in the 
ship's Itunch and carried up from the beach on litters borne by the natives. They 
were then untied, hobbled, and turned loose. Three ran away and took to the hills, 
and the herders had a long chase ; but they were finally recovered. One of the deer 
had his hind legs broken in Siberia and had to be killed. The ship was decorated 
with flags, in honor of the day. On the 5th of July Capt. Healy very kindly had 
his carpenters make a flag-stafl" for the station, which was landed that same evening 
and placed in position, after which the Bear started again for Siberia. 

At noon, on the 6th of July, we anchored off Whalen, having been for an hour 
steaming through heavy fields of ice. Finding no reindeer in the vicinity of the 
village, anchor was weighed and the ship got under way, following the coast to the 
northwestward, coming to anchor two hours later off Enchowan, but at 10 o'clock 
was compelled to shift anchorage on account of the heavy fields of ice. The follow- 
ing day the ice compelled the captain to shift his positii n two or three times. At 
this place sixteen deer were procured and taken on board. At 9:40 anchor wa,s 
again weighed and the stait made for the reindeerstation, steaming all nightthrough 
heavy fog, and from 5 to 7 through heavy fields of ice, reaching Cape Spencer at 
5:40. On the 9th of July the ship Jvierica was towed in the harbor, having on 
board, among other things, lumber, coal, and supplies for the reindeer station. 
On the lOtli the captain run down to the reindeer station, unloaded the reindeer, 
and also 240 packs of coal, and 77 cases of pilot bread, all of which he had received 
from the bark Percy Edwards. On the 12th of July, going aboard the steamer New- 
port, which had taken on board the lumber for the building at the reindeer etat- 
tion from the bark J7?(mc«, I returned again to the station and superintended the 
landing of the building, returning to the Bear on the 13th. 

On the 14th the Bear got under way for Siberia, from 1 to 2 p. m., steaming 
through large masses of broken ice. On the 15th we came to anchor ofl:' Cape 



888 EDUCATION REPORT, 1891-92. 

Serdze Kamen, Siberia, in latitude north, 67° 27'; longitude east, 180<^ 20'. This 
cape is the northernmost limit of the explorations of Bering, he having reached here 
August 15, 1728. The meaning of the name la "the heart of rock," because of a fan- 
cied resemblance of a heart in the face of the rocky cape. Along the coast to the 
westward are several native villages. The mountain jieaks in the back country rise 
to an elevation of from 2,000 to 5,000 feet. Fresh-water lakes inland and lagoons 
along the shore everywhere abound. After Bering, this ehore was visited by Capt. 
Cook's expedition in August 1778, when he struck the coast, coursing from Alaska 
as high north as North Cape. It was again visited on April 22, 1823, by Admiral von 
Wrangell in his fourth Siberian expedition. 

At 9 :30 a. m. Assistant Engineer Falkenstein and Surgeon S. J. Call went ashore 
after reindeer, bringing on board during the afternoon some twenty-one animals. 
The vessel was surrounded much of the time by heavy masses of drifting ice. The 
following day the captain Avas compelled to shift anchorage several times, the stock 
of his port anchor being carried away by the ice. On the 17th the ice became so 
heavy that the ship moored to an ice-floe and drifted with it. Towards night, some 
openings being discovered in the ice, the ship dropped down the coast slowly, forcing 
its way, until, about 4 a. m., when it came to anchor again in the ice. At 9 a. m. a 
large ice-floe bearing down upon the ship, anchor was again weighed, when it was 
found that a second anchor had been Jjroken by the ice. The 19th was spent in 
shifting anchor and dodging ice-floes. The surgeon and two seamen being ashore 
and unable to return to the vessel, the captain hired two native boys to cross the 
ice, with a launch for the party. In the evening, the wind having changed and 
loosened the ice somewhat, the surgeon returned with six reindeer. Another attempt 
was made to start the engine and force the ship through the ice, but at midnight 
the attempt was given up. The starting and stopping the engine and drifting in 
heavy and closely packed ice were continued the following day until afternoon, 
when the ice became too heavy for further progress and the ship was allowed to 
drift. By constant ramming, towards night, there seeming to be a chance to get 
out, the ship was started again and by constant ramming the heaviest ice was broken 
through, and by midnight clear water was reached, we having been shut up in the 
ice for a week. Coming abreast of the village of Utan, Siberia, a boat was sent 
ashore after Passaic, a noted deer-man, who resided there. He having come on 
board it was learned that his herd was three or four days distant. As a large ice- 
floe was seen bearing down upon us, and as we did not relish the idea of being 
imprisoned another week and perhaps wrecked in this bay, at 3:50 a. m. we were 
again under full sway, running a race with the ice, which was drifting down upon 
xia, a solid, unbroken mass of ice, as far as the eye could reach. The ice rapidly 
gained upon us. Largo, detached pieces like scours forged ahead of us, placing 
themselves directly in our path, against which we rammed and jarred, but at noon 
the projecting cape of the bay was reached and passed just as the ice-floe was 
swinging upon it, barring further progress. During the forenoon we steamed 
through fog so dense that we passed through Bering Straits before we knew it, and 
when the fog lifted found ourselves twenty miles ahead of the place where we sup- 
posed ourselves tobe and at 10:30 that night came to anchor off the reindeer station. 

The reindeer on board were landed the following morning at 5 :30 o'clock. In the 
afternoon the captain sent his carpenter and a boat's crew ashore to prepare the 
foundations for the station house, and also sent a detachment on ehore the following 
day, when, a storm having set in, the captain was compelled to shift anchor into 
deeper water. 

On Monday, July 25, we again got under way for North Head, Siberia, reaching 
Cape Puangoune, Siberia, at midnight. No one coming off from the village to the 
ship, and the weather beginning to be stormy, at 8:10 a. m. the anchor was weighed 
and the ship steamed into anchor in Lutke Harbor, Siberia, at 9 o'clock. St. Law- 
rence Bay was so named by Capt. Cook because he first anchored in it on St. Lawrence 
day, August 10, 1778. The bay was fully surveyed by Capt. Lutke of the Russian 
navy in 1828. It is 11^ miles across its mouth and extends inland about 24 miles. 
Its northeastern extremity is marked by a rounded top mountain, 1,794 feet high, 
called Cape Nouniagmo. On the southern slope is a native village of the same name, 
also known as North Head. From 5 to 6 miles from Cape Nouniagmo is Cape Pan- 
ougoun, which marks the commencement of the inner bay. Extending from Cape 
Panougoun is a bank of gravel or shingle which forms Lutke Island and makes a 
sheltered cove 1^ miles iu diameter. This is a good anchorage for ships. In this 
cove the U. S. S. Briggs, in search of the Jeanette, was anchored for the winter, when 
she took fire and burned to the water's edge. There is a native village on this cove. 
While we were at anchor, waiting for the fog to lift and the storm to pass by, the 
surgeon and some of the officers went ashore on Lutke Island and shot, in a few hours, 
106 eider ducks. On July 27, the gale having subsided, the ship got under way at 
7 :30 in the morning, and, steaming out of Lutke Harbor, passed Cape Chargilach 
.with its native village on the south side of the bay. We anchored at 10 oft Cape 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 889 

Kelcoiigoiin, This cape is a bold, rock promontory, crowned with four mountain 
peaks, 1,542, 1,296, 1,257, and 1,206 feet high, respectively. A native village clings 
to the northeastern base, and a smaller one, called Jandonga, on its southwestern 
slope. Here the surgeon. Dr. Call, went ashore in the afternoon with a boat's crew, 
procuring ten reindeer. The following day 56 more were i^rocured and brought on 
board. At midnight the ship got under way, reaching the reindeer station at 5:30 
o'clock. On July 29 by 8:30 the deer were all on shore. On the 3lst the captain 
again sent his carpenters and a detachment of men on shore to worlc at the station 
house. Towards night, a gale setting in, the sliip was compelled to anchor out in 
deeper water. On Monday, August 1, the men that could be spared were again sent 
ashore to work at the buildings. 

At 4 :15 a.m. on August 2 we again got under way for Siberia, and at 5:45 a.m. 
on the 3d of August came to anchor off Indian Point. Learning that there were 
no deer in the vicinity, we again got under way for East Head, at 1 : 25 j). m., stopping 
off a village near Bald Head. There being too much surf to land, we continued 
around Bald Head into Clover Bay, passing the mouth of Reindeer River, roundeil 
Cape Haidamaik, and anchored in Port Providence, under Mount Slaviauka (1,427 
feet), at 2 : 40 p. m. Throe umniak loads of natives soon came over from the village 
on the sand spit. Learning that there was a herd of deer in the vicinity of Emma 
Harbor, Surgeon Call wa.s placed in charge of a boat crew, and with an interpreter 
went to interview the reindeer men. Later in -the afternoon a boat load of natives 
were hired and sent after Utoxia, who had gone to the head of the bay (14 miles) 
after seal. Both parties were out most of the night. Surgeon Call, upon his return, 
reported that the deer men on Emma Harbor had but few deer and would not sell 
any. Utoxia, upon his arrival, reported a largo herd to the westward of the head 
of the bay. Clover Bay is narrow and runs between two parallel ranges of moun- 
tains from 1,000 to 2,300 feet high, with precipitous sides from the water up, while 
steep and bare mountains, flecked with great patches of snow, present a panorama 
of grand scenery. A bright sun and blue sky add to the enjoyment of the day, as 
the steamer slowly picked her way along this memorable fiord. At 10:45 a.m. we 
were abreast of Cape Lakhatchov, thenorthernentranceof Emma Harbor, where the 
British ship Clover, Capt. Moon commanding, in search of Sir John Franklin, entered 
in 1848 and 1849. At 11: 30 wo passed Mount Kennicott (2,343 feet), so named in 
honor of Maj. Robert Kennicott, director of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, who 
■was in charge of the Alaska expedition of the Russo- American telegraph expedition 
of 1865 and 1867. At noon we passed Cache Bay, and at 12 : SO Long Harbor, which 
was the winter quarters of one party connected with the telegraph expedition. 
At 1 p. m. we came to anchor off' Cape Ignatief, Vladimir Bay, Siberia. At once a 
party was organized, consisting of Dr. Call, the surgeon, Lieut. White, Assistant- 
Engineer Falkenstein, and two natives, to visit the deer men. At the same time 
another party, consisting of Mrs. Healy, the wife of the captain, Engineer Broadbent, 
and myself, went down the bay 2 miles to visit the site of the telegraph expedition. 
The solid stone walls of the two houses occupied by them remained to mark the site. 
One was a circular room about 20 feet in diameter, and the other a rectangular one 
J>by 14feet. The stone walls were about 4 feet high, symmetrically laid on the inside, 
and on the outside covered with earth. They were placed upon the highest point 
of a small, narrow peninsula, with the sea close to on three sides. A few pieces of 
glass and copper were picked up as mementoes of the place; also some braces and 
knees of the native sleigh, made out of reindeer horn. The land around was strewn 
with rusty hoops from barrels and casks. Two or three lone graves told their own 
sad story. The land was dotted with beautiful wild flowers, and icy streams came 
down to the sea from large patches of snow that still remained upon the mountain 
sides. 

On the 5th of August, Dr. Call and party returned to the ship about 10 a. m. They 
had been inland some 20 miles, but failed to find any deer men. On their way up 
the valley which leads inland from our anchorage they found frequent piles of chips, 
made in trimming the poles forty-five years before. The poles themselves had long 
disappeared, probably having been carried off by the natives. At noon we got under 
way for Holy Cross Bay, landing Utoxia as we passed Port Providence. The other 
native, Wallace, continued with us as interpreter. At 3:40 \t. m. we rounded Cape 
Stolta and stood up the north coast of the gulf of the Anadyr. The mouth of this 
gulf, from Cape Tchoukotskoi down the north to Cape Thaddeua on the south, is 200 
miles across, and the circuit of the gulf, without measuring the coast line of the 
smaller bays and indentations, is 420 miles. The first navigator to sail this sea was 
Capt. Bering, who was followed in 1826 and 1829 by Capt. Lutke, of the Russian 
navy. The north coast line is remarkable for its bold, rocky shore, in many places 
rising perpendicularly from the water's edge. At 5 p. m. we were abreast of Jak- 
kun, whicli is a high, steep bluff with a pyramidal rock. On we go parallel with 
the shore 10 miles distant past Cape Tchingan with its red band of rock running 
from summit to base. At 10 p. m. we were off Cape Aggen, to the north of which is 



890 EDUCATION REPORT, 1891-92. 

Transfiguration Bay. From this np 9 miles to Cape Eumelian the coast is bonnded 
by a high, perpendicular rock like a wall. About midnight we passed Cape Bering, 
where the bold, rocky shore ceases and small Tchuktchi villages are seen. At 9 a. 
m. on August 6 traces of ice began again to appear, and soon we were skirting a 
large field of floating ice. Walrus being discovered, the ship was stopped and the 
captain and surgeon went off, securing a large bull, which was brought onboard and 
given the interpreter as jiart pay for his services. 

Along the northwestern coast of the gulf is a remarkable island, or false shore, 
which forma the southern portion of the Gulf of St. Croix. It is 45 miles long and but 
a few rods wide. A narrow, shallow canal separates this island from the mainland. 
There is a village of Tchuktchi near Cape Neetchk on the westernmost end, off which 
we were anchored several days during July, 1891. As we passed into Holy Cross 
Bay at noon a signal flag was seen floating at the village and two umniaks put off 
to intercept the ship. One of them was taken aboard, but when it was found that 
they wanted us to goto their village to trade ivory, the captain resumed his course 
towards the reindeer village on the west side of the bay, where we anchored at 2:50 
p. m. Holy Cross Bay is 54 miles from north to south and 35 miles from east to west. 
Its northern end is within 10 miles of the Arctic Circle and its shore line has a cir- 
cuit of 180 miles. Themouthof the bay is 13J- miles across. At the northern end is 
Mount Matatchingai, with rocky sides rising 9,180 feet. It is a landmark for the 
whole region around. On the west side of Holy Cross Bay are large quantities of 
driftwood from the Andyr River. Soon after anchoring at the village 5 umniaks 
full of peojile come aboard. Inquiries were at once made for reindeer. At various 
times they represented the herds as close to and then as far off. They said that the 
herds had been driven down to the coast earlier in the summer, but the ship not 
being seen, had been driven back again into the country ; that the mosquitoes were 
too bad to keep them near the water. At one time they would ofier to sell a ship- 
load, then only promised 9 and then again 3. When they thought we wanted 
bucks they had only does to sell, and when they found we wanted does their herd 
was all bucks. They also asked two prices for what they proposed to sell, and then 
wanted additional pay for the prospective increase. If they sold a doe she would 
bear another the next season, and so on, increasing from year to year; while the 
cartridges and powder for which they traded would be used up and they wouldhave 
nothing left. The captain met their argument with another, that if their deer 
should die next year they would have nothing and starve, while if they had car- 
tridges and powder they could shoot walrus and seal and live; or for what we could 
pay them they could trade with natives farther inland and get two deer from one. 

Finally, after five hours' talk, the boat was lowered at 8:45 p. m. and Ur. Call, 
Assistant Engineer Falkenstein, the interpreter, and a crew of men were sent after 
the reindeer. In the A'icinity of our anchorage was a temporary village of reindeer 
men. Every fall and spring they move all their household effects to and from the 
interior with their herd of deer. The village was their summer encampment by the 
sea. Around their neat looking tents were great quantities of deer harness and sleds, 
which were used in transportation. These Tchuktchi men cut their hair on the 
crown of the head, leaving a fringe around the head. Sometimes they leave a tuft 
in the center and have two rings of long hair. Sometimes a long lock of hair is 
left behind the ears, which is braided like a woman's. Some have a small mark or 
figure totemed on the cheek, forehead, or some part of the face. This is said to be 
done iipon the loss of a near relative, also to mark the number of seals killed. The 
women have their cheeks covered Avith totem marks. Some of the women have 
strings of beads dangling from the cars. August 7 proved a rainy, stormj , and 
dismal day. The fact that the boat that went off the night before had not 
returned excited considerable anxiety, but by midnight it came in sight and was 
soon alongside, with 12 deer. The men had been sixteen hours pulling against 
the tide and striving to reach the ship. While absent they had discovered a large 
river more than a mile across at its mouth. While pulling along the side of this 
river they saw a bear and cubs. Pursuit was immediately made over streams and 
through swamps, and dodging from one hillock to another they crept up on their 
game. Cautiously raising their heads from behind the last hillock, Avith guns 
cocked, they found their supposed bear was a woman and children. At 5:30 a. m. 
on the 8th the cutter was sent ashore to gather moss and food. The deer men were 
put off, and at 8 o'clock we got under way, encountering a little floating ice in 
passing out of the bay. At 6:15 a. m. on August 9 we left our interpreter at the 
native village on Clover Bay, and at 7:45 a. m. stopped off the village at East Head 
to communicate with Utoxia, making arrangements with him to purchase deer 
during the winter, which should be called for the following season. At 1:30 p. m. 
on the 10th of August the ship anchored off the reindeer statior, and the deer were 
duly landed. This closed the trips for the season after reindeer. 

Having arranged affairs at the reindeer station at 4 o'clock on the morning of 
August 11, the anchor was hove and the steamer Bear got under way for Kotzebue 




REVENUE-MARINE STEAMER ' BEAR MOORED TO A FIELD OF ICE BERING SEA, JUNE 5, 1892 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 891 

■Sound. By 10 o'clock -we yvero rounding Cape Prince of Wales through the straits. 
Off to the westward 3 large umniaks were seen under Bail en route to Siberia. 
The next day at noon avo came to anchor off Capo Blossom, Kotzebuo Sound. Soon 
after 12 umniak loads of Eskimo came off to the ship. This is the location of 
one of the international and intertribal annual fairs of the Arctic, and the annual 
opportunity for the sick throngli all Arctic Alaska to secure the services of a physi- 
cian. The natives brought with thorn a number of the bones and tusks of the mam- 
moth, which were secured for the Sitka Museum. At 10 :45 p. m., the surgeon of the 
ship having attended to the ailments of the population that came on board, the 
anchor was hove aud the ship steamed for Point Hope, which was reached at 9 p. m., 
August 13. The weather, however, was so foggy that the ship was compelled to go 
far out to sea to avoid the shoals off the point, aud therefore we were unable to come 
to anchor until midnight. The following morning, the fog having lifted, the captain 
very kindly sent me ashore to inspect the station and confer with the Jiiissiouary 
teacher. Returning to the ship at noon, we got under way, sailing to the north. 
Learning from the natives that a whaling schooner, Silver Wave, was wrecked in the 
vicinity of Icy Cape, a stop of a few hours was made at that point to secure definite 
information, after which, continuing northward, the refuge station at Point Barrow 
was reached at 11:45 a. m. on the 16th of August. Going ashore to confer with 
regard to school matters, I was detained until the fourth day there on account of a 
storm having come up, making the surf dangerous. Capt. Borden, the ex-keeper of 
the station, having been relieved from duty, Lieut. Jarvis was placed in charge by 
Capt. Healy, pending the turning over of the station to our former teacher, Mr. L. 
M. Stevenson, who had been appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury to take 
charge. On the 18th of August Mr. Stevenson and myself, after canvassing all sec- 
tions of the vicinity, selected a location for the Presbyterian mission on the first rise 
of ground to the north of the village, lying back and between the village and the 
refuge station, and separated from the village by a small ravine. That same even- 
ing I was able to return on board ship through the surf. On the 19th the mission 
bell, which had been en route two years, was landed on the beach, and for the first 
time rang out upon the Arctic air. On the 20th of August Capt. Healy took the Bear 
to Point Belcher to bring up some coal which had been left from the previous sea- 
son. On the 11th of June a whaleboat, containing 9 boys and 1 woman, was driven 
out to sea from Point Belcher, and they were unable to return until the 16th of July, 
being thirty-five days out to sea in an open boat. During the time they captured 
11 walrus, 1 white bear, and all the seal that they could eat. 

From the same place two boats' crew were driven oft' to sea, but were out only 
nine days. While at Point Belcher the Bear was boarded by Capt. Owen, of the 
whaling bark Mermaid, who brought tis news and newspapers from civilization as 
late as June 30. At 4:30 p. m., on the 21st, anchor was weighed and Ihe ship got 
under way to return to the refuge station. The Arctic currents were so strong that 
in the fog the ship was carried some 20 miles beyond its destination, so that we 
did not come to anchor off the station until 9:45 the next day. All duties having 
been discharged at the refuge station and school, at 4 o'clock on the morning of 
August 23 anchor was hove, and we started on our return to the south, anchoring 
off' Icy Cape, on the next day, to enable the crew of the Bear to get off from the 
beach the Arctic schooner Silver Wave, which was accomplished on the afternoon of the 
26th. Taking the schooner in tow at 8 :15 a. m. of the 27th, the Bear started on its 
return to the reindeer station at Port Clarence. A gale having come up at mid- 
night we anchored off Cape Sabin. The next morning another start was made, but, 
finding the sea too rough for comfortably towing the schooner, the captain ran under 
the lea of Cape Sabin and anchored. At 3 on the morning of the 30th we again got 
under way, reaching Point Hope at noon, where Lieutenant White and a boat's 
crew were sent ashore with the mail. The boat swamped on the beach. The men, 
however, escaped with nothing more than a drenching. On the morning of the 31st, 
the wind having shifted a little, anchor was weighed and another start was made 
for Cape Prince of Wales. At midnight, meeting the steamer Jane Gray, San Fran- 
cisco papers as late as July 23d were received. On the evening of the 1st of Sep- 
tember the Diomede Islands were sighted. In Bering Straits a strong tide was 
met, so that from 3 a. m. until 9 the ship steamed but 16 miles. From 9:30 until 
5 p. m., with a full head of steam, no progress was made against the gale, the ship 
rather drifting back toward the straits, and the course of the shij) was changed 
to the south. While opposite Cape Prince of Wales Mr. and Mrs. Thornton ven- 
tured off" in a native boat through a heavy surf and a rough sea. From them we 
learned that Mr. W. T. Lopp and Miss Kittredge had been married (the first Chris- 
tian marriage ever celebrated in Alaska north and west of St. Michael) and gone 
down to the reindeer station in a umiak on a wedding tour. 

The gale drove us far south of our course, and when the morning of the 3d dawned 
no one on shipboard knew just where we were. About 6:10 o'clock, the fog lifting 
for an instant, land was sighted toward the northeast, which was afterward found 



892 EDUCATION REPORT, 1891-92. 

to be Kings Island. Owing to a succession of galea and the difficulty of towing a 
schooner through heavy seas, the ship was detained over a week in reaching Port 
Clarence. However, at 2:40 p. m., September 3d, anchor was dropped opposite the 
reindeer station, the surf being too heavy to admit of landing. The following day 
a landing was effected, and the various supplies that were to be landed at the sta- 
tion were taken on shore. Mr. A. S. McClellau, who during the summer had been 
erecting the mission residence at Cape Prince of Wales, was received on board for 
transportation to the Aleutian Islands, and at 10:50 p. m. the ship got underway 
for St. Michael, which Avas reached on the morning of September 6th. Here it waa 
found that the steamer P. B. Ware was on the stocks, being built for the Yukon 
River trade, and that the workmen who had been brought up from Puget Sound 
had struck for higher wages and the work was at a standstill; that the company 
who were building the steamer had on the beach in a canvas house $75,000 worth of 
goods and supplies for the miners at the headquarters of the Yukon River, all of 
which was in great danger of being lost. On account of these things and the late- 
ness of the season, the men in charge very naturally sought assistance from the rev- 
enue cutter. Recognizing the emergency, Capt. Healy sent to their assistance 
Assistant Engineer Faulkenstein, the carpenter, and 8 men from the crew, and 
each day Lieut. Jarvis was sent from the ship with a boat's crew to render such 
assistance as they could. Mr. McClellan and Mr. Brower, iiassengers on the Bear, 
also volunteered assistance. In nine days, through the assistance of the revenue " 
cutter, the steamer was so far completed that she was launched. The birthday of 
the Emperor of Russia occurring on the 11th of September, special services were 
held in the Russo-Greek church at St. Michael. Flags were displayed and at noou 
a salute of 4 guns was fired. At 11:30 a. m. on the loth of September anchor 
•was hove and the ship got under way for Unalaska, reaching anchorage In Dutch 
Harbor at 10 a. m. on the 19th of September. On the evening of the 30th I was 
kindly received on board the revenue steamer Rush, Capt. W. C. Coulson, command- 
ing. At 5 in the morning of October 1, in the face of a north-northwest gale, with 
snow and hail, we put out to sea for San Francisco. Great difficulty was experienced 
in rounding Priest Rock, for sometime doubt being expressed whether the ship 
could make it. Getting safely around the point in Analga Pass, a heavy tide rip was 
encountered and great seas swept over the ship from stem to stern. On the 8th 
the gale was so increased that it was not considered safe to run and the ship was 
laid to for twelve hours. Again resuming its course, wo dropped anchor in San 
Francisco Bay at 10 o'clock a. m. on the 11th of October. The next day I left by 
the Santa Fe route for Washington, which place I reached at noon on October 18, 
having traveled 16,997 miles. 

I remain, with great respect, yours, truly, 

Sheldon Jackson, 
General Agent of Education for Alaska, 




MAP OF 
S.E.ALASKA 

Prepared for TJ S.Bureau of Education 
By TJ.S Coast k Geodetic Survey 



Statute Miles 

lillllllllllllllLLII 






J^ 



_ia4i 



DIXON ENTRA^'^f 

U2 



CHAPTER IX. 

EEPOET ON EDUCATIONAL AFFAIES IN ALASKA. 



Department op the Interior, 
Bureau of Education, Alaska Division, 

Washbujtoii, D. C, June SO, 1893. 

Sir : I have the honor to submit the following annual report of the general agent 
of education ibr Alaska for the year ending Juno 30, ISOo : 

In the suniniev of 1890, in accordance with your instructions, I visited northern 
Alaska and established schools for the Arctic Eskimo at Cape Prince of Wales, Point 
Hope, and Point Barrow. Through the courtesy of the Secretary of the Treasury and 
of Capt. L. (t. Shepard, chief of the Revenue Marine Division of the Treasury Depart- 
ment, I was permitted to accompany the U. S. revenue marine steamer Bear, Oapt. 
M. A. Healy, commanding, on her annual cruise in Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean. 

In addition to couA^eying me to the j^oints designated. Captain Healy was under 
instructions from the Secretary of the Treasury to visit the coast of Siberia and 
distribute presents to the Koraks around Cape Navarin in return for shelter and food 
furnished shipwrecked American, whalers. He was also under commission from 
Superintendent Porter, of the Census OiBce, to take a census of the native popu- 
lation along the Arctic co.'sst of Alaska and the islands of Bering Sea, which poiiula- 
tiou could not be reached by the usual enumerators. 

The trip to Siberia enabled me to make a cruise of 700 miles along that little- 
knovv'ii coast, and study somewhat the character of the native population under 
conditions corresponding with those under which life must be maintained in Alaska. 
I found them t;) be a hardy, active, and well-fed people, owning tens of thousands 
of head of domestic reindeer. 

The taking of the census of Arctic Alaska furnished me even more extensive facil- 
ities for studying the condition of the Eskimo of Alaska. I found them, like their 
neighbors on the Siberian side, to be a hardy and active people, but because tliey 
had never been instructed to depend upon the raising of reindeer as a sui)port, 
unlike the Siberians, they were on the verge of starvation. The whale and walrus 
that formerly had constituted the principal portion of their food have been destroyed 
or driven otf by the whalers, and the wild reindeer that once abounded in their 
country have been killed oil" by the introduction of breech-loading tirearms. 

The thorcmgh canvass of the native jiopulation for enumeration, necessitating a 
landing wherever even oue or two tents were seen on the beach, furnished unusual 
opportunities for observing the educational needs of that peo})le and learning the 
great difliculties under which schools will have to be carried on. 

Upon my return to Washington I had the honor on November 12 to address you a 
preliminary report of the season's work, emphasizing the destitute condition of the 
Alaskan Eskimo. 

On the 5th of December tiiis report was transmitted by you to the Secretary of 
tlie Interior for his information and on the 15th transmitted' to the Senate by Hon. 
George Chandler, Acting Secretary of the Interior. On the following day it was 
referred by tiio Senate to the Committee on Education and Labor. 

On the 19th of December, Hon. Louis E. McComas, of Maryland, introiluced into 
the House of Representatives a joint resolution (H. R. No. 258) providing that the act 
of Congress approved March 2, 1887, "An act to establish agricultural experiment 
stations in connection with the colleges established in the several States under the 
provisions of an act approved July 2, 1862, and of the acts supplementary thereto"' 
and an act approved Augu.st 30, 1890, entitled "An act to apply a portion of the pro- 
ceeds of the public lands to the more complete endowment and support of the colleges 
for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts, established under the provisions 
of an act of Congress approved July 2, 1862," should be extended by the Secretary of 
the Interior over Alaska, with the expectation that the purchase, improvement, and 
management of domestic reindeer should be made a part of the iudustrial education 
of the proijosed college. 

1705 



1706 EDUCATION REPOET, 1892-93. 

The resolution was referred to the Committee on Education, and on IlioOtli of Jan- 
nary, 1891, reported back to the Ilonso of Eepresentatives for passage. (See Appen- 
dix'A.) 

It was, however, so near the close of the short term of Congress that the resolu- 
tion was not reached. 

"When it became apparent that it would not bo reached in the usual way, the Hon. 
Henry M. Teller, on the 26th of rebruary, moved an amendment to the bill (H. R. 
No. 13102) making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for 
the year ending June 30, 1892, appropriating $15,000 for the introduction of domestic 
reindeer into Alaska, which was carried. The appropriation failed to receive the 
concurrence of the conference committee of the House of Representatives. 

Ui^on the failure of tho Fifty-iirst Congress to take action, and deprecating the 
delay of twelve months l)eforo another attempt could be made, with your approval, 
I made an ap])eal in the Mail and Express of New York City, the Boston Transcript, 
the Philadelphia Ledger, the Chicago Inter Ocean, and the Washington Star, as v.ell 
as in a number of the leading religions newspapers of the country, for contributions 
to this object. Tho response was prom^it and generous; $2,146 were received. 
(Appendix 13.) 

As the season had arrived. for the usual visit of inspection and supervision of the 
Gchools in Alaska, you were kind enough to direct that in addition to my regular 
work for the schools I should continue in charge of tho work of transplanting domes- 
ticated reindeer from Siberia to Alaska. As the natives of Siberia, Avho own the 
reindeer, know nothing of the nso of money, an assortment of goods for tho purpose 
of Vuirter for the reindeer was procured from the funds so generously contributed by 
benevolent f»eople in answer to tho appeal through the newspapers. 

The Honorable Secretary of the Treasury issued instructions to Captain Healy to 
furnish me every possible facility for tho purchase and transportation of reindeer jrom 
Siberia to Alaska. The Honoraldo Secretary of State secured from the Russian Gov- 
ernment instructions to their oflicers on the Siberian coast also to render what assist- 
ance they could, and on IMay 25, 1892, I again took passage on tho revenue-cutter 
Bear, Captain Healy in command, for the coast of Siberia. 

The proposition to introduce domesticated reindeer iuto Alaska had excited wide- 
spread and general interest. In the public discussions which arose with regard to 
the scheme a sentiment was found in some circles that it was impracticable; that 
on account of the superstitious of the natives they would be unwilling to sell their 
stock alive; further, that tho nature of the reindeer was such that he would not 
bear ship transportation, and also that even if they could be purchased and safely 
transported tho native dogs on tho Alaskan coast would destroy or the natives kill 
them for food. This feeling, which was held by many intelligent white men 
(Appendix C), was asserted so strongly and positively that it was thought best the 
first season to make haste slowly, and instead of purchasing a Inrge number of rein- 
deer to possibly die on shipboard, or perhaps to bo destroyed by the Alaskan dogs 
(thus at the very outset prejudicing the scheme), it was deemed wiser and safer to 
buy only a few. 

Therefore, in the time available from other educational duties during the season 
of 1891, it seemed important that I should again carefully review the ground and 
secure all possible additional information with regard to the reindeer, and, Avhile 
delaying the actual establishment of a herd until another season, that I should 
determine the correctness of the objections that tho natives would not sell and the 
deer would not bear transportation by actually purchasing and transporting them. 
The work was so new and untried that many things could only be found out by 
actual experience. 

First. The wild dcermen of Siberia are a very suiierstitious people, au'd need to bo 
approached with great wisdom and tact. 

Upon one occasion, when Captain Healy purchased a few reindeer for food, the 
following ceremonies were observed: When getting ready to lasso the deer the own- 
er's family seated themselves in a circle on the ground, where probably some rites 
connected with their superstitions were observed. Upon attempting to approach 
the circle, I was motioned away. After a short time the men went out and lassoed 
a selected animal, Avhich was led to one side of the herd. The man that was leading 
him stationed himself directly in front of the animal and held him liriuly by the two 
horns. Another with a butcher kuifb stood at the side of the deer. An old man, 
probably tho owner, went off to the eastward, and placing his back to the setting 
sun seemed engaged in prayer, upon the conclusion of which he turned around and 
faced the deer. "This was the signal for kniiing the animal. With apparently no 
effort, the knife was pushed to the heart and withdrawn. The animal seemed to 
sulfer no pain, and in a few seconds sank to his knees and rolled over on his side. 
While this was taking place the old man before mentioned stood erect and motion- 
less, with his hand over his eyes. When the deer Avas dead he approached, and 
taking a handful of hair and blood from the wound, impressively threw it to the 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1707 

eastward. This Avas repeated a second time. Upou tlio killing of tlio Bocond auimal, 
the ■wife of the owner cast the liair and blood to the eastward. 

Since then 1 have often observed the man who Avas sellin;;' a deer pluck some hair 
from the deer au<l pnt it in his pocket or throw it to the Avinds for good luck. 

If a man should sell lis deer, and the following AA'intcr an epidemic break ont in 
his herd, or some calamity befall liis family, the .Shamans Avould make him believe 
that his bad luck was all due to the sale of the deer. 

Second. The Siberian deermen are a nonprogressive people. They have lived for 
ages outside of the activities and progress of the Avorld. As the fathers did, so 
continue to do Iheir children. 

NoAv, they have never befoi'e been .asked to sell their deer ; it is a neAv thing to thena, 
and they do not know Avhat to make of it. They Avere suspicious of our designs. 
And in reference to this state of mind I have found that being on a GoA'ernment 
vessel has been of great assistance. It impresses the natives Avith confidence that 
they Avill be treated honorably and justly. This nior.al efloct Avas so great that Ave 
secured results that otherwise could not have.been obtained so easily. 

Then, Captain Healy, comniander of the Bear, is Avell kuoAvn for thonsando of 
miles on both sides of tlie coast, and tlio natives liaA'o couiidence in him. "With a 
stranger in connnand I am coulident that but little Avouldhave been accomplished in 
the summer of 1891. 

Turchasing reindeer in Siberia is very different from going to Texas and buying a 
herd of cattle. In Texas such a sale could be consummated in a few minutes or 
hours. But in SibeTia it takes both time and ])atience. 

Upon the anchoring of the ship in the vicinity of a Kcttlcment the natiA'cs flock 
aboard, bringing skins and furs to exchange for flour, cotton cloth, powder, lead, etc. 

Once al.'oard they expect to bo fed by the captiiin, and bucket after bucket of hard 
bread is distributed among them. They know perfectly Avell that vre are after rein- 
deer, but nothing is said about it. They haA'e to be feasted first. They are ueA'er 
in a hurrj^ and therefore do not see why we should be. 

After a little small presents are judiciously given to the wife or child of a leading 
man, and when everyone is in good humor a few of the leaders are taken into the 
pilot house and the main subject is opened. After much discussion and talking all 
around the subject, one man is ready to sell twenty and another jiorhaps only two. 
After all is arranged the leading men send their servants otf after the deer, which 
may bo in the A"i(inity or four or five days' journey away. Sometimes these delays 
consume a week or more at a place. 

Another difficulty arises from the fact that they can not understand what we want 
of the reindeer. They liaAo no knowledge of such a motiA^e as doing good to others 
without pay. 

As a rule the men with the largest herds, who can best afford to sell, arc inland 
and dithcult to reach. 

Then business selfishness comes in. The introduction of the reindeer on the Ameri- 
can side may to some extent injuriously aifect their trade in deer skins. From time 
immemorial they haA^e been accustomed to take their skins to Alaska and exchange 
them for oil. To establish herds in Alaska will, they fear, ruin this business. 

Another difliculty experienced Avas the impossibility of securing a competent 
interpreter. 

A fe'AV of the natiA-es of the Siberian coast haA'c spent one or more seasons on a 
whaler, and thus iiicked up a very little English. And upon this class Ave have been 
de]ie7ident in the past. 

It is Aery desirable that a natiA'e young man should bo secured and trained as an 
interjireter Avho could be employed regularly, year after year. 

HowoA^er, notwithstanding all these difliculties and delays. Captain Healy with the 
^ear coasted from 1,200 to 1,500 miles, calling at the v.irious A-illages and holding 
conferences Avith the leading reindeer OAvners on the Siberian coast. Arrangements 
wero.made for the purchase of animals the folloAving season. Then, to answer the 
question Avhether reindeer could be purchased and transported alive, sixteen were 
purchased, kept on shipl)oard for some three Aveeks, passing through a gale so severe 
that the ship had to "lie to," and finally huuled in good condition at Amaknak 
Island, in the harlior of Unalaska, having had a sea voyage of over 1,000 miles. 

Thus the results of investigations for 1891 Avere: 

First. The cultivation of the good will ot the Siberians. 

Second. The actual purcluise of sixteen head of reindeer. 

Third. That reindeer can bo transported Avith the same facility as other domestic 
cattle; they being safely loaded, kept on shii)board for three weeks, and landed in 
good condition 1,000 miles UAvay. 

Upon my return to Washington in the fall of 1891 the question was again urged 
upon the attention of Congress, and on the 17th of December, 1891, the Hon. H. M. 
Teller introduced a bill (S. 1109) ap])ropriating $15,000, to be expended under the 
direction of the Secretary of the Interior, for the purpose of introducing and main- 



1708 EDUCATION KEPORT, 1892-93. 

taining in the Territory of Alaska reindeer for domestic purposes. This bill was 
referred to the Coimnittee on Agriculture and Forestry, Hon. Algernon S. Paddock 
chairman. The committee took favorable action and the bill was passed bj'the Sen- 
ate on May 23, 1892. On the following day it was reported to the House of Repre- 
sentatives and referred to the Committee on Appropriations. A similar bill (H. R. 
7761) was introduced into the House of Representatives by Hon. A. C. Durborow 
and referred to the Committee on Agriculture. 

On April lo Hon. S. B. Alexander, of North Carolina, reported the bill to the House 
of Representatives with the approval of the Committee of Agriculture. (Appendix 
D.) The bill was i)laced on the Calendar. 

On the 2d day of May, 1892, I started for my third summer's work on the coast of 
Siberia and Arctic Alaska in the U. S. S. Hear, Capt. M. A. Healy commanding. 

In accordance with your instructions, all the time that could be spared from the 
schools was given to the extablishment of the experimental reindeer station. 

Upon reaching Unalaska, May 22, I was much encouraged to learn that the rein- 
deer left last fall on Amaknak and Unalaska Islands had wintered successfully and 
were in good condition, with an increase of two. 

We reached Cape Navarin, Siberia, on the 6th of June, and proceeding north called 
a,t various points on the coast. Our progress was greatly hindered by heavy fields 
of ice. The good ship had two anchors ground up and one of the blades of the pro- 
peller broken oif by the ice. Upon several occasions we were so surrounded that the 
propeller was stopped and the ship moored to the ice. A less staunch vessel would 
have been unable to stand the strain. However, during the season five trips were 
made to Siberia and 175 reiudeer purchased, brought over, and lauded at the head 
of Point Clarence, which being the nearest good harbor to Asia on the American 
side, and a central point for the distribution of deer, I had selected, June 29, as the 
location of the first reindeer station. 

The first installment of deer, numbering 53, was landed at the nev/ station at 6 
o'clock on the morning of the 4th of July. 

Mr. Miner W. Bruce, of Nebraska, was appointed superintendent of the station 
and herd, with Mr. Bruce Gibson, of California, as his assistant. (Appendix H.) 

Upon the establishment of the experimental reindeer herd at Port Clarence it 
became important to gain information concerning the surrounding country. 

To secure full and relialile infornuition with reference to pasturage in the vicinity 
of Bering Straits I had the previous season employed Mr. W. T. Lopp, teacher at 
Cape Prince of Wales, to make two trips northward along the coast in midwinter 
(1891-92), when the moss might be expected to be covered with ice and «now (see 
Appendix E), and in the fall of 1892 sent Mr. Bruce Cibsou, assistant superintendent 
of the reindeer station, with a ])arty of natives, to the northward of Port Clarence 
(see Appendix F), and a few weeks later Mr. Miner W. Bruce, superintendent of the 
station. (See Appendix G.) 

These several reconnaissances proved both the abundance of moss and its accessi- 
bility for winter pasturage to the new station. 

A comfortable house, 20 by 60 feet, was erected as a residence for the superintend- 
ent and his assistant, and also for the storing of the annual supply of provisions and 
barter goods. 

Close to the main honse two comfortable dugouts were built for the use of the 
herders. Four Siberians, well acquainted with the management of reindeer, were 
brought over and placed in charge of the herd. With the Siberians were placed a 
few young men from the Alaskan Eskimo, who are expected to learn th(i manage- 
ment and care of the herd. The present expectation is to increase the number of 
Alaskan boys, who shall become apprentices to the herders, and when they have 
sufficiently learned the business and proved their capability to take care of reindeer, 
a sjnall herd will be given each one as his start in life. As from year to year the 
number of such young men is increased and a number of the natives become herders, 
the herds will naturally become more and m'ore distributed throughout the country 
until eventually the whole northern region shall be covered with tliem, as the simi- 
lar regions of Siberia and Lapland are now covered. (Appendix J.) 

With the accomplishment of this result several important objects will be attained. 

PERMANENT FOOD SUPPLY. 

In the first place, the population, which is now upon the verge of starvation, will 
be furnished with a permanent, regular, and abundant supply of food. As has 
already been stated the native supply of food in that region has been destroyed by 
the industries of the white men. (Appendix K.) The whale and walrus that once 
teemed in their waters and furnished over half their food supply, have been killed 
ordrivenoff by the persistent hunting of the whalers. The wild reindeer (caribou) 
and fur-bearing animals of the land, which also furnished them food and clothing, 
are largely being destroyed by the deadly breech-loading firearm. It will be impos- 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 



1709 



Bible to restock their waters with whale aiul walrus in the same way that Ave restock 
rivers with a fresh supply of lisli. But what we can not do in the way of giving 
them their former food, wo can, through the introduction of the domestic reindeer, 
provide a new food supply. 

U])on our return southward from tlio Arctic Ocean in the fall of 1891, Captain 
Hcaly providentially called at the village on King Island, where we found the popu- 
lation starving. Tiie appeal for food was so pressing that the cai)taiu detailed a lieu- 
tenant to make a thorough cxamiiuition of tlic village, and invited me to accompany 
him. In a few houses wo found that the families in their great distress had killed 
their sled-dogs to keep themselves from starving. In the larger number of families 
they were making a broth of seaweed, their only food supply. In all human proba- 
bility, if the ship had not learned their condition, the following summer not a man, 
wonsan, or child would have been left alive to tell the story. A few years ago the 
same thing liappeued to three large villages ou the Island of St. Lawrence, aud 
Avhen, the following season, the reveniie cutter called at the village, the putrefying 
corpses of the population were found everywhere — on the bed platforms, on the 
lioors, in the doorways, and along the i)aths, wherever death overtook them. 

At King Island, having ascertained the condition of things, a purse was made up 
from the otiticers and a few others ou board the ship, aud the captain steamed some 
2(10 miles to the nearest trading post, and purchased all the provisions that could be 
obtained, which Avere taken back to the starving village. This supply sustained the 
population alive until seal aud Avalrus came some months later around the A'illage. 
The movement of the seal and walrus, since their numbers have become greatly 
diminished, is so uncertain that, while a A'illage may liave plenty to eat one season 
they Avill be ou the A'ergo of starA^ation another. 




Siberian deermen brought to Alaska with the first herd. 

[From a photo, by Dr. S. J. Call. Published by permission of the Ciilifortiian.] 

In the winter of 1890-91 there was a sufficiency of food at Point Hope. In the 
Aviuter of 1891-92 the same population had to leave their A'illage aud make their 
way, in some instances hundreds of miles, to other villages to keep from starving. 
In 1891 one of the teachers on the Kuskokwim River wrote me that the inhabitants 
of that valley had had but little opportunity during the summer of 1890 to provide 
a sufficient food supply of fish, that consequently starvation i'aced them all winter, 
nnd that it was with great difficulty that they surviA^ed until the fish returned the 
f(dlowing season. A teacher ou the' Yukon River reported this past summer that 
some of the natives to the north of him had starved to death. This same scarcity ot 
food exists across the entire northern portion of North America, so that now, irnder 
the auspices of the Church of England, subscriptions haA^e been opened in London 
for a famine fund out of Avhich to send relief to the starving Eskimo of Arctic British 
America. This condition of things Avill go on, increasing in severity from year 
to year, until the food supply of the seas and of the land is entirely gone, and 
then there is nothing left but the extermination of the native population. The 
general introduction of the domestic reindeer alone will change this entire condi- 
tion of things, and furnish as reliable supply of food to that people as the herds 
of cattle in Texas and Wyoming do to their owners, or the herds of sheep in New 
Mexico and Arizona. The reiudeer is the animal which God's providence seems to 
have provided for those northern regions, being food, clothing, house, furniture, imple- 
ments, aud transportation to the people. Its milk aud flesh furnish food. Its mar- 



1710 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 

row, tongue, and liama are cousiclercd clioice delicacies. Its blood, mixed with tlie 
contents of its stomach, forms a favorite native dish. Its intestines are cleaned, 
filled with tallow, and eaten as sausage. Its skin is made into clothes, bedding, 
tent covers, reindeer harness, ropes, cords, and fish lines. The hard skin of tlie fore 
legs makes an excellent covering for snowshoes. Its sinews are made into a strong 
and lasting tlircad. Its bones arc soaked in seal oil and burned for fuel. Its horns 
are made into various kinds of household implements, iuto weapons for hunting, 
fishing, or war, a,nd in the manufacture of sleds. Then the living animal is trained 
for riding and dragging of sleds. The general introduction of such an animal iuto 
that region v,nll arrest the present starvation and restock that vast country with a 
permanent food supi^ly. It will revive hope in the hearts of a sturdy race that is 
now rapidly passing away. Surely, the country that se;;Lids shiploads of grain to 
starving Russians, that has never turned a deaf ear to the call of distress in any 
Bection\)f the globe, will not begrudge a few thousand dollars for the purch.ase and 
introduction of this Siberian reindeer, and the rescue of thousands of people from 
starvation. 

REPKOPLING THE COUNTRY. 

In the second place, the introduction of domestic reindeer into Alaska will not 
only thus arrest the present starvation, but will assist in increasing the population. 
With a more generous food supply this population will commence to increase iu 
numbers. Occupying a region Avhose climatic conditions are so rigorous that but few 
white men will ever be willing to make their permanent home iu it, it is important, 
if we would save it from being au tinpeopled waste and howling wilderness, that 
we build up the people who through generations have become acclimated and who 
are as fervently attached to their bleak and storm-swept plains as the people of tem- 
perate and torrid zones to their lands of comfort and abundance. 

They are a race worth saving. I find that public opinion, g.ained perhaps by a 
more familiar knowledge of tlie Eskimo of Greenland and Labrador, conceives of 
the Alaska Eskimos as of the same small type. But this is not true. 

In the extreme north, at Point Barrow, and along the coast of Bering Sea they are 
of medium size. At Point Barrow the average height of the males is 5 feet 3 inches 
and average weiglit 153 pounds; of the women, 4 feet 11 inches and weight 135. 
On the Nushagak River the average weight of the men is from 150 to 167 pounds. 
From Cape Prince of Wales to Icy Cape and on the great inland rivers emptying 
into the Arctic Ocean, they are a large race, many of them being 6 feet and over iu 
height. At Kotzebue f^oiind I have met a number of men and women 6 feet tall. 
Physically they are very strong, with great powers of endurance. When on a jour- 
ney, if food is scarce, they will travel 30 to 10 miles without breaking their fast. 
Lieutenant Cantwell, in his explorations of the Kowak River, makes record that 
upon one occasion wlicu ho wanted a heavy stone for au anchor a woman went out 
and alone loaded into her birch-bark canoe .and brought him a stone that would 
weigh 800 pounds. It took two strong men to Hit it out of the canoe. 

Another explorer speaks of a woman carrying oft' on her shoulder a box of lead 
weighing 280 pounds. This summer, in erecting the school buildings in the Arctic, 
there being no drays or horses in that country, all the timbers, lumber, hardware, 
etc., had to bo carried from the beach to the site of the house on the shoulders of the 
people. They pride themselves on their ability to outiurap or outrun any of our 
race who have competed with them. They can lift a heavier weight, throAv a heavy 
weight farther, and endure more than we. They are a strong, vigorous race, fitted 
for peopling and subduing the frozen regions of their home. 

Ai:ctic and subarctic Alaska cover an empire in extent equal to England, Scotland, 
France, and Germany. With the covering of those vast plains with herds of domes- 
ticated reindeer itwill be possible to support in comparative comfort apopulationof 
100,000 people where now 20,000 people have a precarious support. To bring this 
about is worthy the fostering care of the General Government. 

CIVILIZATION OF THE ESKIMOS. 

Thirdly, the introduction of domestic reindeer is the commencement of the eleva- 
tion of this race from barbarism to civilization. A change from the condition of 
hunters to that of herders is a long step upward iu the scale of civilization, teach- 
ing them to provide for the liiture by now methods. 

Probably no greater returns can be found in this country from the expcnditiire 
of the same amount of money than in lifting up this native race out of barbarism 
by the introduction of reindeer and education. 

ARCTIC TRANSPORTATION. 

Fourthly, the introduction of the domestic reindeer will solve the question of 
arctic transportation. (Appendix L.) The present transportation of thatregiou is 
by dog sleds. One load of supplies for the trader or traveler requires a second load 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1711 

of food for tlio two teams of dogs, aiultliey malco but short distaiicca per day. This 
difficulty of transportation lias been one f;reat drawback to the development of the 
country. It has interfered ^Yitll tlie plans of the fur trader; it has interfered with 
Government exploration. Only three years ago, when tlio United States Coast and 
Geodetic Survey sent two parties to detcrniino tlie international boundary between 
Alaska and 15ritisli America, the small steamer that was conveying the sup])lies up 
the Yukon Kivcr was wrecked, and it was with the utmost diiliculty that tlio sur- 
veying parties were kept from starvation, because of the ditliculty of sending suffi- 
cient food 2,000 miles along tliat great valley by dog sleds. If reindeer had been 
introduced into the country there would have been no such difficulty in furnishing 
food. Bills have been before Congress for several years pi-oposiug to establish a 
military post in tlio Yukon Valley. If sucb a post is established it is not at all 
improbable that a combination of circumstances may arise some winter by which 
the forces that shall bo stationed tlierewill bo reduced to starvation, unless reindeer 
transportation shall have become so systematized that food can readily be sent in 
from other regions. The same is true with reference to the Government officials 
■whom it may be found necessary to station in that regitm. 

Tlie same is true of the forty or more missionaries and their families that are now 
scattered through that vast region ; also, of the teachers and their families whom the 
Government has sent into that country. 

Those are now separated from all communication with the outside world, receiving 
their mail but once a year. Y>'ith reindeer transiiortatiou they could have a monthly 
mail. 

During the past three years the whalers have been extending their voyages east of 
Point Barrow to the moutii of the Mackenzie River, and wintering at Herschel Island. 
To the owners of this property it would be wortli tens of thousands of dollars if 
they could hear from their vessels in the winter, before new supplies and additional 
vessels are sent out in the spring. But this can not now be done. Last winter letters 
were sent out from the field, overland, by Indian runners that ascended the Macken- 
zie, crossed over to the Porcupine, and descended the Porcupine and Yukon rivers 
down to St. Michael, on the coast. It was ten months before those letters readied 
their destination. It Avas a great satisfaction to the owners to hear of the welfare 
of their shiiis and crev/s, but the news was too late for business purposes. Millions 
of dollars' worth of property and thousands of lives are involved in the whaling 
business. With the introduction of domestic reindeer into that region it will be 
both feasible and perfectly practicable to establish a reindeer express during the 
winter from the Arctic coast down to the North Pacific coast of Alaska. 

The southern coast of Alaska on the Pacific Ocean never freezes, and is accessible 
all the year round to vessels from San Francisco or Paget Sound. 

A reindeer express across Alaska, from the Arctic to the Pacilic Ocean, would have 
a corresponding commercial value to that section as the telegraph between NewY'ork 
and Loudon to theirs. It would enable the owners of the whaling fleet to avail 
themselves of the latest commercial news and keeii a more perfect control over their 
business. 

COMMERCIAL VALUE. 

In the sixth place, the introduction of domesticated reindeer will add a new 
industry to that country, which will go to swell the aggregate of national wealth. 
Lapland sends to market about 22,000 head of reindeer a year, the surplus of her 
herds. 

Through Norway and Sweden smoked reindeer meat and smoked reindeer tongues 
are everywhere found for sale in their markets, the hanis being worth 10 cents a 
pound and the tongues 10 cents apiece. Tliere are wealthy merchants in Stockholm 
whose specialty and entire trade is in these Lapland products. The reindeer skins 
are marketed all over Europe, being worth in their raw condition from $1.,50 to $1.75 
apiece. The tanned skins (soft, with a beautiful yellow color) find a ready sale in 
Sweden, at from t?2 to $2.75 each. Reindeer skins are used for gloves, military riding 
trousers, and the binding of books. Reindeer hair is in great demand for the 
filling of life-saving apparatuses, buoys, etc., and from the reindeer horns is made 
the best existing glue. One great article, smoked reindeer tongues, and tanned skins 
are among the principal products of the great annual fair at Nizhnee Novgorod, 
Russia. In Lapland there are about 400,000 head of reindeer, sustaining in comfort 
some 26,000 people. There ia no reason, considering the greater area of the country 
and the abundance of reindeer moss, wliv arctic and subarctic Alaska should not 
sustain a population of 100,000 people with 2,000,000 head of reindeer. In Lapland 
the reindeer return a tax of $1 ahead to the Government, so that they yield an annual 
revenue to the Government of $400,000. 

With the destruction of the butfalo the material for cheap carriage and sleigh 
robes for common use is gone. Bear and wolfskins are too expensive; but with the 
introduction of the reindeer their skins would to a certain extent take the place of 
the extinct bufi'alo. 



1712 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 

The commercial importance of iutrodncing domesticatecl reindeer in Alaska was so 
manifest that shrewd business men on the Pacific Coast at once appreciated the great 
possibilities involved, and hastened, throngli their chambers of commerce and boards 
of trade, to take action, urging their several delegations in Congress to do what they 
could to secure an appropriation of money for these purjioses. (Appendix N.) 

Under favorable circumstances a swift reindeer can traverse 150 miles in a day. 
A speed of 100 miles per day is easily made. As a beast of burden it can draw a 
load of 300 pounds. 

The progress of exploration, settlement, development, government, civilization, 
education, humanity, and religion are all largely dependent in that region on rein- 
deer transportation. 

If there is any measure of public policy better established than another, or more 
frequently acted upon, it has been the earnest and unceasing efforts of Congress to 
encourage and aid in every way the improvement of stock, and the markets of the 
world have been searched for improved breeds. The same wise and liberal policy 
will make ample ])rovision for the introduction of the reindeer, which, of all animals, 
is the most serviceable and indispensible to man in high northern latitudes. 

If it is sound public policy to sink artesian wells or create large water reservoirs 
for reclaiming large areas of valuable land otherwise worthless; if it is the part of 
national wisdom to introduce large, permanent, and wealth-producing industries 
where none previously existed, then it is the part of national wisdom to cover that 
vast empire with herds of domestic reindeer — the only industry that can live and 
thrive in that region — and take a barbarian people, on the verge of starvation, lift 
them up to a comfortable Support and civilization, and turn them from consumers 
into ]iToducers of national wealth. 

It Avill be noticed that the sum asked from Congress is only $15,000. I hope that 
this will not be misunderstood and taken as a measure of the imjiortance of the 
movement, for if the proposed results could not be obtained with any less sum an 
appropriation of Jiuudreds of thousands of dollars would be both wise and econom- 
ical. 

But so small a sum is accepted on the ground of proceeding with extreme caution. 
It is the commencement of a great movement that Avill, if successful, extend its 
beneficial influences as long as the world stands. Therefore we move slowly and 
carefully at first, in oi'der to secure that success. Commencing in a small way, the 
first outlay of money is not large. 

In 1891 the 16 reindeer purchased averaged $10.25 each. This last season the gen- 
eral aVerage was brought down to $5 each. 

So far the purchase of the reindeer has been defrayed from the money contributed 
by benevolent individuals. 

KEVENUE-MARINE SERVICE. 

These gratifying results, however, could not have been attained without the 
hearty and active cooperation of the Revenue-Marine Service. 

If this office had been required to charter a vessel for the transporting of the rein- 
deer nothing could have been done with the small sum at our disposal. 

But the Secretary of the Treasury directed that the revenue cutter Bear, in addi- 
tion to her regular duties of patrolling the Seal Islands and the coasts of Bering 
Sea and the Arctic Ocean, following the whaling fleet, and inspecting the refuge 
stPvtion at Point Barrow, should also give what time was possible to transporting 
the reindeer. 

To the captain, officers, and crew of the Bear is due much praise for the hard work 
done by them. 

Special thanks are due Capt. M. A. Healy for his earnestness and efficiency in doing 
his part of the work; also to Lieut. D. H. Jarvis, Surg. S. J. Call, and Assistant 
Engineer Falkenstein, who were in charge of much of the shore work of loading 
and unloading the deer. 



Appendix A. 

[House Report Ko. 3114, Pil'ty-first Congress, second session.] 

Mr. McComas, from the Committee on Education, submitted the following report 
(to accompany H. Res. 258) : 

The Committee on Education reports favorably House joint resolution 258, with 
sundry amendments recommended by the committee. 

Congress has ])assGd several acts encouraging the establishment of agrici^ltural 
schools and experiment stations in the different States and Territories. 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1713 

Those several acts require the assent of tlie le<;ishi tares of the several States and 
Territories before their provisions become available ; but as Alaska has no legislature, 
it is the only Territory Avhicli is unable to avail itself of the benefits and provisions 
of these acts. 

This bill ])roposes to extend to Alaska the benefits and provisions of the agricul- 
tiual acts through the Secretary of the Interior, in lik(^ luaimer to the other Terri- 
tories. The acts are recited in the preamble to the joint resolution. 

There has been very Avide divergence of views with regard to the agri-jultural and 
horticultural capabilities of Alaska, or -whether it has any agricultural capabilities 
at all. 

This bill would secure the establishment of an e.Kperimental station in southern 
Alaska, which has a temperate climate, and test the question of what can and what 
can not be raised to advantage. 

This Avould be of very great service, both to the natives, who, through the Gov- 
ernment schools, are coming into our civilization, and to the white settlers who may 
locate in that vast region, whicli embraces about 580,000 square miles. 

There are hundreds of thousands of square miles of area within the Arctic regions 
of Alaska that, there is no question, can never be adapted to ordinary agricultural 
pursuits, nor utilized for purposes of raising cattle, horses, or sheep; but this large 
area is es))ecially adapted for the support of reindeer. 

This bill will enable the Secretary of the Interior, through the Government indus- 
trial schools, to make the stock-raising of reindeer the great industrial feature of 
that region. 

This Vill utilize hundreds of thousands of square miles of territory, will build up 
a large and profitable industry, and, above all, will jirovide a comfortable support 
for the native jiopulalion of tliat region. 

This is the more important at the present time because the American whalers have 
jiractically destroyed and driven out the whale and the walrus from the waters adja- 
cent to the coast of Alaska. 

The destruction of the whale and walrus has taken away three-fourths of the ordi- 
nary food supply of the Eskimo population, and that population to-day on the Arctic 
coast of Alaska is on the verge of starvation. The large canneries will soon take 
away the fish sui)ply. 

The introduction of tame reindeer from Siberia into Alaska thus has a twofold 
im])ortance : 

(1) As the establishment of a profitable industry. 

(2) As a relief of a starving people — a relief that will become more and more valua- 
ble as the years roll round; a relief that once established perpetuates itself. 

This project is wiser than to pauperize the people of Alaska. 

The revenue from that country warrants this attempt to make these people self- 
sustaining. 

The lease of the Seal Islands by the United States Treasury Department to the 
North American Commereial Company, on the basis of 100,000 skins, ought to yield 
a revenue of about $1,000,000 annually. Under the old lease the revenue was 
$317,.500 annually. 

The extending to Alaska of the benefits of the agricultural bill approved August 
30, 1890, would give for the year ending June — 

1890 - $15,000 

1891 16,000 

1892 17, 000 

Total 48,000 

From the act establishing agricultural exi>eriment stations approved July 2, 1862, 
the sum of $15,000. 

The joint resolution would therefore carry for the year ending .Tune 30, 1892, 
$93,000, and for the following year, $33,000. 

The comuiittee report, therefore, this joint resolution, with the following amend- 
ments and recommend that it pass: 

In line 4, page 2, after the woi'd "to," insert "give any assent required by either 
of said acts, and to." 

In line 4, page 2, after the word "benefits," insert "and provisions." 

In line 6, page 2, after "Territory," insert "of Alaska." 

In line 7, page 2, after the word "acts," add "in like manner as for any other 
Territory." 

ED 93 108 



1714 



EDUCATION EEPORT, 1892-93. 



Appendix B. — List of Contp.idutions to the Eeindekr Fund, 1891. 

1891. 

May 15. Miss H. S. Benson, PliiLadelphLi $200. 00 

John N. Browu, Providence, R. I 200. 00 

J.iue N. Grew. Boston 30. 00 

Mary P. Gardner, New York 10. 50 

Sarah B. Reynolds, Kingston, N. Y 10. 00 

Mrs. H. B. Otis, Roxbury, Mass 10. 00 

M. A and S. H. Foster, Portsmouth, N. H 10. 00 

June 10. Boston Transcript, from various persons 289. 00 

E. G. Read, Somerville, N. J 10.00 

Effe V. V. Knos, New York 10. 00 

Mrs. N. Willia,iiison, Brunswick, N. J 10. 00 

E. E. v., 140 Eanvalo street, Baltimore, Md 1. 00 

Helen B.French, Beloit, Wis 10.00 

Mary Ellen Smith, Philadelphia, Pa 10.00 

Judge E. R. Hoar, Concord, Mass 10.00 

C. H. B.irstow, Crow Agency, Mont 15. 00 

M. E. D., per Boston Transcript 1. 00 

A. F. All yn, Chelsea, Mass 1. 00 

E. P. Wainwright, Asheville, N. C 10. 00 

M. A. Haven and Annie W. Davis, Portsmouth, N. H 10. 00 

Marv Hemingway, Boston, Mass 100. 00 

The Mail and Express 500. 00 

Mrs. Yv^illiam Thaw 50. 00 

Five children in one family, one reindeer each 50. 00 

Mrs. F. L.Achey 20.00 

M. E.P 50.00 

The yonng ladies of Rvo Seminary, Rye, N. Y 50.00 

M a ry L . P a r son s ^ '. 20.00 

Y. P^S. C.E., Relormed Church, Mount Vernon 13.65 

Three ladies of East Orange, N. J 12. 00 

G. K. Harroun 10.00 

H . G . Ln dl o w 10.00 

Mrs. H. G. Ludlow 10. 00 

Mrs. R. C . Crane 10. 00 

Mrs. Edwin G. Benedict 10.00 

Mrs. M. C. Col)l) 10. 00 

E. M. Chadwick 10. 00 

Augusta Moore 10. 00 

Rev. William T. Donbleday 10.00 

E. M. Eames 10. CO 

Charles H. Wells 10. 00 

A. R. Slingushard 10.00 

James M. Ham 10.00 

Mrs. James M. Ham 10. 00 

Mrs. Robert I. Brown 10. 00 

William Rust 10.00 

Mrs. Levi S. Gates 10. 00 

Bethlehem Chapel Mission School 10. 00 

Mrs. Richard L. Allen 10. 00 

Miss M. I. Allen 10. CO 

E. Holman 10. 00 

C. and family. East Orange, N. J 10. 00 

J, Van Santwood 5. CO 

James F. E. Little 5. 00 

Frederick W. Stoneback 5. 00 

J. H. Charles 5. 00 

V. Thompson 5. 00 

W. T. Bliss 5. 00 

Howard Wilson 5. 00 

G. H. Fleming 5. 00 

W. S. Quigley 5.00 

J. Lantz 5.00 

From friends 2. 60 

Mrs. L. E. Hastings 1-20 

A. E. Barnes - L 00 

Amelia, J. Burt 1-00 

W. A. Deenng , 5. 00 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1715 

APi'KN'nix B — Coiitiiuied. 
189 L 

Jiuio 10. L. F. (^ol«lin<;- $5. 00 

.1. A. HeunesHV 5. 00 

R. II. ^totiaard 5. 00 

"William K. ^Vorl•nll 5. 00 

H. W. Dourmctt 5.05 

]?etty Demiiig (achiiil) 10.00 

Joliu Demiiig (a cliilil) 10. 00 

Aunn vinous 10. 00 

Littlo Lights Society 5.00 

Mrs. Edmuud T. Lukens 5. 00 

W. S 5.00 

Cuttendfu Hull, A 10. 00 

Mrs. Clinton B. Fisk 10. 00 

W. U. A 20.00 

Thomas Harrington 10. 00 

E 10. 00 

June 18. Mrs. De'bhie 11. Parker, Chariot tL'Sville, Ind 5.00 

Geu. E. E. Whittlesey, Washington, D. C 10. 00 

1892. 

Feb. 1. ]\Ii8s Mary Burroughs, rhiladel])hia, Pa 5.00 

11. A. I). Simpson, Christiansburg, Ya 10. 00 

Total 2, 146. 00 

Of the above amount, $1,158 was collected through the Mail and Express, of New 
York. 



Appendix C. — Tent Life ix Siberia. 

By GeokCtE Kennax. 

[Published by George P. Putnam's Sons. 1S70. Page IIG.] 

Among the many superstitions of the Wandering Koraks and Chookchees one of 
the most noticeable is their reluctance to part with a living reindeer. You may pur- 
chase as many tlead deer as you choose, up to 500, for about 70 cents apiece; but a 
living deer they will not give to j'ou for love nor money. Y'oii may oiTer them what 
they consider a fortunein tobacco, copper kettles, beads, and scarlet cloth for a single 
live reindeer, but they will persistently refuse to sell him. Yet, if you will allow 
them to kill the very same animal you can have his carcass for one small string of 
connnon glass beads. It is useless to xrgue with them about this absurd superstition. 
Y'ou can get no reason for it or explanation of it, except that to sell a live reindeer 
would be "atkin" (bad). As it was very necessary in the construction of our pro- 
posed telegraph line to have trained reindeer of our own we offered every conceivable 
inducement to the Koraks to part with one single deer; ]>ut all our efforts were in 
vain. They could sell us 100 dead deer for 100 pounds of tobacco, but 500 pounds 
would not tempt them to part with a single animal as long as the breath of life was 
in his body. During the two years an<l a half Avhich wo spent in Siberia no one of 
our parties, so far as I know, ever succeeded in buj'iug from the Koraks or Chook- 
chees a single living reindeer. 



Appendix D. — Domesticated Reindeer ix. Alaska. 
[irovLso Keiiort Xo. 10D:5, Fifty-secoad Congres.s, first session.] 

jNIr. Alex.ander, from the Committee on Agriculture, submitted the following 
report : 

The Committee on Agriculture, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 7764) to secure 
the introduction of domesticated reindeer into Alaska, report the same with a favor- 
able recommendation. This bill does not properly come within the jurisdiction of 
the Committee on Agriculture, but should have been considered by the Committee 
on Appropriations. At the suggestion of the chairman of the Committee on Appro- 
priations tlie Committee on Agriculture, having heard the testimony of the mission- 
aries from Alaska, the Commissioner of Education, and others inregard to the merits 
of the bill, have considered it and reconmiend its passage. 

The testimony showed that there are no reindeer in Alaska; that .Alaska could sup- 
port many times enough reindeer to furnish the inhabitants with food and clothing, 



1716 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 

and tliat tlae reindeer skins are indispensable for clothing; that the whale and wal- 
rus, the principal supply of food, have been destroyed to such an extent as to cause 
much suffering for food; that dogs are used for transportation, au<l in many phicea 
the supply of food is becoming so scarce that the natives are compelled to eat their 
dogs, thus depriving them of the means of hauling their supplies; that for the 
development of the country the domesticated reindeer is absolutely indispensable; 
that the domesticated reindeer can make a speed of 19 miles an hour, and that a 
fair average rate of speed is 12 miles ])er hour; and this means of transportation is 
necessary to develop the gold fields of the interior, which can oulj^ be worked from 
two to two and one-half months a year; that the reindeer would be distributed at 
the Government schools, the native youths taught to herd and raise them, the in- 
crease to be given to worthy students and native teachers for services rendered ; that 
this will induce the natives to become herders, be self-supporting, and not a charge 
iipon the Government; that the natives have no vessels that can transport the live 
reindeer from Siberia to Alaska ; that the vessels from San Francisco to Alaska leave 
the 1st of May to the 1st of June, none later than the last date mentioned, and that 
if anything be done this year, it is absolutely necessary to get the appropriation in 
time to send the goods for the purchase of the reindeer by the revenue cutter that 
leaves San Francisco the 1st of June. 

The descrii^tiou given by the missionaries and others of the country, the habits ot 
the natives, etc., was interesting. The distress caused by the continued failure of 
the food supply shows plainly that the natives will not be able to sustain themselves 
and will become a charge upon the Government. For these and other reasons the 
Committee ou Agriculture urge the passage of this bill. 



Appendix PL — Mr. W. T. Lopp's Reconnoissanck Along the Coast North of 

Bering Straits. 

Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, 

January 20, 1892. 

Dear Sir: According to your instructions, I have made two expeditions up the 
coast north of here, and submit you the following report: 

In November employed Eskimo, dogs, and sled and explored west shore of Louge 
Inlet or Lake, just north of Cape Prince of Wales, up to its head, where Grouse 
River empties into it. The mountains (see chart inclosed) were sloping and roiling, 
not sharp and rocky, and covered with moss. Portions of these hills were covered 
with 3 to 5 inches of snow, hut all the exposed portions were free from any snow. 
This inlet is about 30 nnles long and has two outlets to the sea. Along the banks 
of Grouse River are acres of bushes (3 to 6 feet), hundreds of ptarmigan, and nice 
sized fish in the river. 

On December 27 started with boy, dogs, and sled for Ke-gik-tok. Had fine weather- 
short days— visited about 300 people. Some settlements had plenty of oil, seal meat, 
and fish, and others had little or none. All were very anxious to have deer intro- 
duced. Most of them seem to doubt that ownership would ever pass into their 
hands. They complain that they have to pay exorbitant prices to Cape Prince of 
Wales chiefs for deerskins. They reported moss very plentiful. At that time there 
was so little snow that it would be unnecessary to graze deer on the mountain side. 
I could see that the smooth expanse of country from coast to mountain was covered 
with only 3 or 4 inches of soft snow, no crusts or ice. . (Unlike last winter, there 
have been no thaws this winter, consequently no ice crust on snow.) These coast 
people live on seal meat, oil, fish, ptarmigan, and squirrel.- They are not a trading 
people, have had little or no intercourse with ships; are honest, industrious, and 
healthv. , , 

Found a very prosperous settlement at Ke-gik-tok of 80 people. Asked me to 
bring the school up there, etc. 

I think several hundred deer could be grazed along the hills from Cape Prince of 
Wales to Ke-gik-tok. I am satisfied from what I have seen and heard that there 
are hundreds of acres of good grazing land extending from the coast back to rivers 
flowing into lakes back of Port Clarence and those flowing into Kotzebue Sound. 
Settlements are so distributed along the coast from Cape Prince of Wales to Kotze- 
bue Sound that deer men along the mountains could easily be supplied with seal oil 
and meat. And if iuclosures are ever necessary there are plenty of bushes in small 
rivers to make them. I think these coast people are better situated and adapted 
for herding than any other Alaskan people. 

They are all superstitious and are great cowards after dark. Perhaps it will be 
necessary to have them stand watch at night in pairs until they become accustomed 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1717 

to tho darkness. (One Fskiino never goes any place after dark if lie can help it. 
Ho sees ghosts; bnt is all right with a companion.) 

Iloi»ing and trnsting th;it we may sometime ha\e occasion to make use of knowl- 
edge obtained on these two little exi)editiou8, I am, 
Very truly yours, 

W. T. Lopr. 
Dr. SiiKLDON Jackson, If'ashhKjto)!, D. 0. 



Appendix F.— Eeconnoissance North of Pokt Clarence by Bruce Gibson". 

Reindeer Station, Port Clarence, Alaska, 

Augmt 2, 1892. 

Sir: I respectfully submit herewith report of expedition made by Mr. Gibson into 
interior, north of station, for the purpose of ascertaining ])robable condition of 
grazing for reindeer during winter mouths — copied from his notes as follows: 

"I started on expedition July 27, leaving station at 12 o'clock noon; taking with 
me as guide Charley, as expert on pasturage Chief Herder rnngen, and live natives 
to pack tent and supplies. Traveled in a northAV(-sterly direction, and for about 4 
miles found good feeil and several small lakes. I then changed my course to north 
for about three-quarters of a mile and found scarcely any feed, it being very rocky and 
barren ; I then went west again for 7 miles and camped at a river about 30 feet wide. 
The hrst quarter of a mile of this last course was very rocky, bowlders from 4 to 6 
feet through being plentiful, the remainder of the distance being good feeding 
grounds. 

" The next day started north and traveled in that direction for about 9 miles and 
found good pasturage on east side most of the way, and Avild lioAvers and berries 
grew in places; the wt^st side of river is barren and very perpendicular in several 
places. I then traveled to west, and for a short distance on a small river found some 
feed, but after traveling for 1 mile I retraced my steps and went to northeast for 
about 3 miles, when men began to complain of being tired and I ordered a halt for 
the night on a small stream running toward the east. To northeast I saw good indi- 
cations of feed. 

"The next morning I got an early start, taking with me the guide and herder and 
leaving the others behind to try and tind a place to camp that night, having to go 
without fire the previous night and this morning. I crossed the small river and 
traveled north. For the first 2 miles there was but a small quantity of feed, having 
passed oA^er some very rocky ground. The next 3^ miles there is good pasturage, 
being plenty of grass and considerable moss. I crossed two small streams in this 
course. Traveled east to get around some large hills; at about one-half mile came 
to a large mound of slaty rock — mound about 30 feet high and 150 feet across. For 1 
mile east found good pasture ; crossed a small stream running southeast ; changed to 
north and for 1 mile found good grazing ground; halted at a large cluster of rock for 
lunch and shelter from rainj found a white surface on one of the rocks, and I made 
the following inscription : 

" 'B. Gibson, July 29, 1892, 12 m., from Reindeer station.' Resumed march to north 
and for 2 miles found good jiastnrage; crossed a small stream running to south. 
About 1 mile south is a lake. Changed course to east for 3 miles; crossed one stream 
and found good feed in abundance. The land Avas of a rocky nature. Started to 
return to cami^ and traveled southwest for 7 miles to where I'gave orders for camp 
to be located, but found they hud gone farther east. I crossed over good feeding 
ground of a boggy nature, similar to that surrounding station. The herder said 
it was the best seen since starting on expedition; it was mostly lowland and some 
low rock hills. I found the camp 2 miles east of where I expected it to be. 

" The fourth day I started east and traveled for 4 miles over low hills, the surface 
being of a broken nature and containing abundiiuce of feed; coming to high hills, 
changed course to southeast for 2\ miles, finding fair pasturage andgroundslightly 
rocky. Sent packers on to river to find suitable camiiing grounds fortnight. I trav- 
eled .5 miles to northeast, finding good pasturage of a boggy nature; crossed one 
small stream. Changed to southeast 1 mile and south 1 mile, finding good pasturage 
on low^ hills; changed to southwest over low, hilly, and rocky land, in some places 
slightly boggy; the feed on this last course was abundant and of a good (piality. 

''Fifth day. — It stormed hard last night and blew the tent down about 3 o'clock. 
I broke camp about 7 o'clock and started for the station, taking a southwest course. 
After traveling for about 5 miles I crossed a small stream running very rapidly 
toward the northeast. The land was low hills and furnished abundance of feed. I 
traveled 2 miles fiirther in the same direction and crossed a large stream with 
swift current and running northeast; the feed and laud the same as passed earlier 



1718 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 

in tbe day. Coutinuing in same direction, but a littlo more to west fov 4 miles, I 
traveled over low liiils; good pasturage and plenty of moss. I crossed large liill to 
north of station ; found it barren and very high and rocky. It is about 1 niilo from 
bottom of hill to open land, and from there on to station is good grazing land. I 
arrived at station at 4.15 in tlio afternoon. It had stormed hard from the time I left 
until my return, raining and blowing hard. 

"In closing, I will sny the herder told mo the ground passed over was very good 
and eciualed and in places excelled the pastur.nge in Siberia. He further statedthat 
the pasturage surrounding station was sufficient for a year, providing that in the 
winter there vras not over 1 foot of snow nor over 1^ inches of icy crust on top. If 
the ice comes hrst and the snow later, it is impossible for the deer to dig out the 
feed. 

"I noticed in my travels that the feed was on low hills and lowlaudSj the high hills 
being barren. 

"The guide, Charley, said that for a long distance into the interior the lowlands 
were the same as jiassed over, thus showing that, should ifc be necessary to go to the 
interior this winter, tliere will surely be plenty of feed for the reindeer." 
Very resiiectfullj-j 

Miner AV. Bruce, Teacher. 

Rev. Shkldox Jacksox, 

General Agent of Education in Alaska. 



Appendix G. — Recoxxoissaxce East of Port ClarexcEj by Miner W. Bruce. 

Reindeer Station, Port Clarence, Alaska, 

August 10, 1S02. 

Sir : In your letter of instructions for the government of this station, dated July 4, 
ultimo, you suggest, among other things, that two expeditions bo sent out for the 
purpose of ascertaining the prospefts for winter grazing for the reindeer should the 
country in this immediate vicinity become covered with ice or deep snow, thus i)re- 
veuting the deer from pawing through ifc for food. 

One route designated by you was to the north for the station, in the direction of 
Kotzebuo Sound; and in accordance with your instructions Mr. Gibson, on the 27th 
ultimo, made a trip in that direction, lasting four days and a half, the result of which 
I communicated to you otficially on the 2d day of the present month. 

On the 3d instant I started on a trip to the northeast with an oomeak and seven 
natives, expecting, if my health permitted, to be gone ton days or two weeks. 

Our route lay through Grantloy Harbor into Iinnrock Lake, and having a fair 
wind we made a splendid day's sail, taking us about halfway through the lake, and 
cauiiiiug the tirsfc night on the west side. 

Iwisii especially to call your attention to the route from Grautley Harbor into 
Imnrock Lake, as it affords, in the event of severe storms, unusual shelter for the 
deer. 

A narrow passage, probably G miles in length, connects these two beautiful bodies 
of water, and as it winds its zigzag course along the liue of bluffs on each side, 
which commence immediately on leaving Grantley Harbor, is unbroken until Inui- 
rock Lake is reached. The passage seems to be of nearly an uniform width, and 
will not exceed, at its widest part^ one-quarter of a mile. The bluffs on both sides 
are about 200 feet high, and there ajipears to be water sufticient to float an ocean 
vessel. 

At several places along the route I left the oomeak, and with the Siberian herder 
went to the top of the l>lutf and found the country to the north a geutly undulating 
table-land, and with my glasses I could see that for several miles this character of 
country did not seem to change. 

On the south side the same aspect of country appeared, but 4 or V^ miles to the 
south the country became more broken, and took in what appeared to be low moun- 
tains. 

The whole surface of the country on both sides was covered with a luxuriant 
growth of lov/ bushes, occasional patches of grass, having the appearance of blue 
joint, and what was certainly red-top grass and mosses. 

Even on this table-land the surface of the country was very uneven, being in places 
hummocky, and the little spots between seemed to be marshy and often tilled with 
water. 

The Siberian herder seemed much pleased with the character of the feed, and fre- 
quently pointed out the different kinds of grasses cr shrubbery that the deer were 
fond ot', and always designated the moss as choice winter grazing. 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1710 

From the natives in my party T learned that the snow in this passa^xe does not 
reach a depth of over 1 foot, and nsually less ; also, that when one side of the passage 
is covered -with snow, the other is lightlj' covered. If this bo trne, it would appear 
that the deer, if it heconies necessary to move them from the station, can find pjood 
grazing either one side or the other of the passage; and in severe storms a refuge 
may he had behind the higli walls of the blutfs. 

(hi tlie iiiorning following our first day's sail I took the herder to the top of the 
hill just back of our camii. It is probably 400 or 500 feet high and mus out to a 
point into Iniuruk Lake. From its top a splendid view of the country in every 
direction is ha<l. The general contour, as far as I could see, was the same as that 
observed from the hlulfs along the narrow passage. INIy position connnanded a view 
to tlio northwest, north, and northeast, and for a distance of 2^ m.iles at least the 
same character of country prevailed. As far as the eye could reach not a mountain 
was visible and not a speck of snow Avas seen. 

To the west there Avero several miles of what appeared to be a marsh, or a very 
lowland, covered witli little jjatches of water back from the lake. These gradually 
disai^peare«l in the north, where the land became higher and of the same general 
character I found farther to the south. 

From my X)ositiou I could see the faint outline of the north end of the lake, prob- 
ably 12 or 15 miles away, and 1 thought I could discern the Aviuding course of a river 
coursing through the table-lauds to the north, and if so, it was probably the Agee-ee- 
j)nk L'ivcr. 

On the sides and top of the hill from which I was making my observations there 
was a thick growth of the same kind of grasses and shrubbery found the day before, 
I was surprised to find along the route to the top of the hill patches of low willow 
and elder bushes, from the branches of which twittered and flitted small birds, and 
every few paces Ave advanced aroiised i)tarmigan in large numbers. 

There was nothing in the appearance of the country, so far as I could see, that 
would suggest anything like AA'hat one would expect to tind bordering on the Arctic 
circle. On the contrary, the vegetation, much of it, was such as is found in temper- 
ate climates, and the birds and insects of the same A-ariety that abound in country 
where the mercury ncAcr ranges lower than zero. 

From my position on the top of the hill I could see what appeared to be a break in 
the range of mountains on the soutli side of the lake, and as the wind Avas blowing 
from the north, thus preventing farther advance in the present state of the weather, 
I concluded to sail to the other side and iuA^estigato the country in that direction. 

The distance across was about 4 miles, but the wind died out when about halfway 
across, and Ave Avere compelled to paddle the rest of the way, a very sIoaa* process of 
travel in an oomeak. 

On reaching shore we went into camp, and after dinner I started with the natives 
for the mountains. My purpose was to simply get an idea of the country betAveen 
the shore of the lake and the foot of the mountains that day, and take all of the next 
for determining the extent of the pass. 

All the afternoon Ave traversed the lowlands toward the mountains and found the 
same general growth of vegetation as that found before. It could not well be of 
thicker growth or to all appearances more nutritions. If anything there Avas more 
moss, and perhaps the low bushes hung fuller with blueberries than any found l)efore. 
There were several small mountain streams leading across to the lake, and if they 
were supplied from melting snow it was far uji or hidden between narrow gorges, as 
none Avere seen from where we traveled. 

It was after 6 o'clock when we returned to camp, and before retiring the natiA^es 
understood that on the morrow Ave were going to try to find a passage into the 
interior. 

Accordingly by 7 o'clock avo were ready to begin our tramp. We took with ns an 
ax, spade, held glass, and two hard-tack apiece. Our course lay across the lowlands 
toAvard Avhat appeared to bo a break in the mountains, and it was at least 7 miles 
from camp across to the entrance. Part of the distance lay over compatatively 
smooth land, and a considerable portion OA^er hummocky ground. There did not 
appear to bo any difference in the thickness of the A^egetation or the A^ariety in these 
two different surfact^s, but the rough ground was the most tedious I have CA'er 
attempted to travel OA'er. The little ridges or hummocks are too Avide to step oa^ct 
and too shaky to stand upon, so that our trip OA'er this section Avas a series of ups 
and downs, mostly the latter. 

At our stops for rest I had holes dug with the spade and was surprised to find a 
hlack, sandy soil, from 1 foot to 3 feet deej), in nearly CA'cry instance. Sometimes we 
could not dig more than a few inches on account of encountering stone or slabs of 
rock, but this was not the rule. I thought 1 discoA'cred the secret of such a heavy 
and luxuriant vegetation here from the rich clngs of the soil and the abundance of 
water. 



1720 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 

lu oiu' way toward the break we x^^isscd tlirougli two groves of elder and willow 
trees tliat were dense, of Irom 2 to 4 inches in diameter near the butt and from 10 to 
15 feet high. It was evident that a little grubbing and thinning out would have 
improved the size of these trees materially. 

Our journey up the side of the mountain near what appeared to be a pass was a 
tedious one, for tlie nature of the ground was more or less hummocliy. I iiud 
that this class of land is as liable to occur on high or table land as upon low and 
marshy ground. 

It became apparent as we ascended the mountain that the break or pass which 
appeared to extend through the range was a false one, and Avhen near the top it ap- 
peared to be a sort of blow-out, which came to an abrupt perpendicular at the end 
of a sudden break ahead. From the top of the mountain we had ascended, although 
not the highest by considerable, we could see that the country to the south was a 
succession of mountains of perhaps 2,000 or 3,000 feet high, and that there was no 
pass into the interior unless following the course of some river. 

Accordingly, we commenced our descent about 2 o'clock, and varied our course 
somewhat. It took us farther to the east along the base of the mountains and then 
straight to camp. 

On our way back we passed over a section of country that was a complete bed of 
moss. We could rake it up in armfulls, and in a few nunutcs, during a spell of rest, 
we gathered sufficient to feed, as our Siberian herder declared, our whole herd of 
about 150 head of deer for one day. 

If his estimate was correct, I feel assured that in this particular section a half- 
dozen men with hand rakes and pitchforks could, in one week, gather enough to feed 
our herd the coming winter. 

At different times during the day, as had occiirred during the day before, the 
Siberian herder gave me to understand that a trip in search of winter grazing was a 
useless expenditure of time ; that what might appear to be good feeding ground 
now when winter set in might be covered with a thick crust of ice or deep snow; 
that nothing could be told from the lay of the laud whether feed could be gotten at 
by the deer or not; that a locality which was all that could be desired this winter 
would be totally inaccessible next; that it was the practice on the Siberian side to 
select what appeared to be a good section for winter grazing, and if it became cov- 
ered with thick ice or deejs snow, to move the deer to some locality where feed could 
be had. 

This was the same information Mr. Gibson had gathei'ed from our chief Siberian 
herder, Avhom he had with him, and I partly resolved, if the wind was not favorable 
formoving north the following morning, to retrace my steps and return to the station. 

I had left rather against my judgment, for my work of late had told on me and I 
needed rest. On my return to camp that evening I was oomiiletely v\'orn out, and 
during the night experienced a slight chill. 

The morning broke rainy, and I was feeling miserably. The judgment of the Sibe- 
rian that it was a useless trip w.as a strong argument in my present condition, and 
when, an hour later, a strong north wind settled the matter of progress toward the 
north against us, at least for that day, but was a fair wind for the station, I ordered 
everything packed, and, after about fourteen hours' sail, reached the station. 

As we must in a considerable measure depend upon the judgment of the four Sibe- 
rian herders, who have spent all their lives in the rearing and care of reindeer, it 
seems to me that in the present state of aifairs at the station, with so much to do and 
so little time before cold weather will set in, when the presence of myself and Mr. 
G'ibson is required, further exploration in search of winter feed ought to be aban- 
doned, or at least postponed until later in the fall. 

From this view of the matter, I would respectfully ask a modification of your 
instructions upon this point. , 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Miner W. Bruce, Teacher. 

Rev. Sheldon Jackson, 

General Agent of Education in Alaska, Wasliington, D, C. 



Appendix H.— Instructions for Guidance ov Reindeer Station. 

On Board U. S. Revenue Marine Steamer Bear, 

At anchor off Port Clarence, July 4, 1892. 
Sir: During the months of August and September, 1891, I purchased in Siberia 
and landed (September 21) at Unalaska 16 domestic reindeer. Having no herder to 
take charge of them, I turned them loose on the small island of Amatignak, where 
they successfully wintered. 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1721 

The lauding this moruinyf at tliis station from the U. S. Reveuue Marino steamer 
Hear (Capt. Michael A. Hcaly, commander) of a band of oIJ domesticated reindeer 
from South lload, Siberia, toj>ether with four herders, marks the establishmeut of 
the fust herd of the kintl in Alaska. 

'I'liis is an event of far nu)re than ordinary importance. If succcssfnl, it will create 
throughout northern and central Alaska a new food supply in i)lace of the whale, 
the walrus, and the fur-bearing animals that are yearly becoming scarcer and more 
didicult to oT)tain. 

Furnished a better and surer food supply, the native population, now decreasing 
in numbers, may reasonably be expected to increase. 

Ciiauf^iug them from mere hunters to herdsmen, it will be the first upward step in 
their civilization. 

With the increase in tivilizati(ni of the natives and the general introduction of 
domestic reindeer, the vast, bleak, frigid, a;id now comparatively useless plains 
of Arctic Alaska will be reclaimed and become a source of wealth and prosperity to 
the land. 

The realization of this desirable condition of things is largely in your hands. 
The friends of tlie movement aud the National Government, which has been asked to 
extend it, will bo encouraged to go forward or led to withdraw from further effort 
as the herd now intrusted to j'our care jnospers or comes to naught. 

AVith so much at stake, you will nuike the care and welfare of the herd your first 
and most constant care. Everything else is of secondary importance. 

II iiiiiv gracin;/. — The most trying season will be next winter, when the food that 
now abounds everywhere will be largely covered up with snow and ice. In Siberia 
I am informed that the winter grazing is sometimes from 100 to 1.50 miles away from 
the summer grounds, the herd being driven back and forth spring and fall. 

It is essential, then, that you take early steps to find a good location for winter. 
To this end I would advise that as soon as your house is inclosed yon take Charley 
and the most experienced of the Siberian herders and make a thorough exploration 
of the surrounding country. I Avould make one trip through Grantly Harbor, Yoks- 
hook Eiver, luiuruk Lake, to the headwaters of Agee-ee-puk and Cov-vee-arak rivers ; 
also, on the trail from Grantly Harbor toward Unala Klect and St. ]\IichaeI. I 
would also advise a trip into and through the mountains north of the station. 
Charley will be a good guide, and pei'haps the Siberian will know by the lay and 
general ai)pearance of the laud the most suitable place to winter. 

I feel great solicitude with regard to this. A mistake may result in the loss of our 
herd by starvation. The natives around Port Clarence a flirni that, while there is not 
much snow on the ])laius between the hills and the sea, yet it is covered with a hard, 
icy crust which the deer can not break through for food. They further say th;it, 
years ago, when the wild reindeer frequented the coast, they were only found in 
summer — that in winter they migrated toward Norton Sound. 

It may prove that the winter grazing grounds that sh.ill be selected may be too 
far avv ay ; that it will become necessary to close up for the winter the present house 
and establish temporary headquarters in the vicinity of the deer. If this necessity 
arises, I would suggest that you build a log house (if in a timber country) or a dug- 
out for winter use. 

rvotectlon from dogs. — Another danger to the herd arises from the attacks of strange 
dogs. You will therefore reijuire one of the herders on watch to be armed, and 
instruct him to shoot down any dog attacking the herd and report the same to you 
for settlement. When a dog is thus killed you will send for the owner, explain to 
him the necessity for the step, express your regret at his loss, and theumake suitable 
payment for the dog. 

When any visiting natives come into your neighborhood have them notified at 
once that they must keep their dogs tied up. Deal firmly, justly, kindly, and 
patiently with the natives, and thus secure their gootl will. 

Once a month you will count the herd, and if any are missing or have been killed 
note it down, with cause (if known), and report same with all the circumstances to 
the Bureau of Kducatiou. 

If any exigency arises by which it becomes necessary to kill a deer for food, you 
will first use auy surplus among the geldings, and after that from among the bulls. 
None are to be killed, however, excej^t in cases of extreme neiessity. 

Herders. — Tlie herders consist of two classes: 

1. Experienced men I'rom Siberia. 

2. Native Alaskans who may v^■i8h to learn the management and care of reindeer. 
The Siberians, being away from their friends and among a strange, seliish, and at 

times Jealous and suspicious people, need your special care and protection. Take 
pains to make them f( el that you have a fatherly interest in them. I hope their 
treatment will be such that they will choose to remain with us permanently. 

Tho second class should bejiicked young men (one or two from a settlement ), who are 
expected to take a two-years training in the care of the herd, and thus become fitted 



1722 EDUCATION EEPORT5 1892-93. 

to talvo charge of fiitnro herds iu the neighborhood of their own homes. At the close 
of their two-years course, if they have been faithful to their duties and mastered 
the business, it is proposed to give them the deer as their start iu life. This class 
will need constant watching. Anyone persistently refusing to obey necessary rules, 
shirking his duties on watch, or otherwise showing a Avant of interest in this work, 
or anyone that proves too dull to leai'n, is to be dismissed from tlie service and sent 
away from the station. 

The second class ai-e to be subdivided into classes corresponding with the number 
in the first class. 

For instance, if you should have twelve in the second class, and, as now, four in 
the first class, you will jilace three of the second class under the tuition and over- 
sight of each of the four of the iirst class; and whenever he goes on watch they 
shall accompany him and bo subject to his direction. It will then, as a general rule, 
be necessary for only one of the Siberians to be with the herd at a time. In case of 
sickness of one of the Siberians his pupils will be assigned duty with the others 
until the sick one recovers and returns to duty. 

After conference with the Siberians you will be able to system.atize the hours of 
■watch. In this I would defer largely to the method pursued in Siberia. 

When the seasons of wa.tch are determined upon you will see that each watch 
promptly relieves the preceding one at the i>roper time. 

The herders of both classes are to be housed, clothed, fed, and cared for at the 
expense of the station. 

Shelter. — At the home station, when off duty, have the herders construct coraforta 
Ide dugouts fur their own use. If you can spare the large dugout already com- 
menced, that can be turned over to the herders. 

If it becomes necessary to have the herd a great distance off, buy some walrus 
hides for a covering, and let the herders make a small tent that can be moved from 
place to place. 

You will make an inspection of the dugouts every Saturday, and require them to 
be kept as cleanly as possible. Allow no slops or oftal to be thrown upon the ground 
near the door, 

,Sii2)pUes. — Yon will furnish them with the necessary iron teakettles and pots for 
cooking. They are expected to procure driftwood for fuel. You will also furnish 
them a sufficiency of reindeer skins for bedding. These supplies are Government 
property, and are to bo carried upon the inventory list. 

Cloihinfi. — You will supply them with comfortable native fur clothing, according 
to the season. 

If the supplies I leave with you for this year are not sufficient, you will employ 
some of the native women to make more. As the reindeer clothing can bo purchased 
ready made iu Siberia cheaper than made in Alaska, you Avill make out !it each sea- 
son a list of garments needed and respectfully request the commanding ofificer of the 
revenue cutter to have them purchased for you. For this you will furnish him suffi- 
cient barter from the reindeer trade goods. 

Once a mouth you will inventory all bedding, clothing, cooking uteusils, and other 
Government property used by the herders. 

Twice a month, if the weather is suitable, all bedding should be hung out to air 
and sun upon a line erected for the purpose. 

Herders of the second class need special watching that they do not give or sell 
their clothes, bedding, or other Government property to their friends. 

Food. — Flour, corn'meal, pilot bread, beans, and tea will be sent from San Fran- 
cisco. It is best, however, as far as possible, to preserve their native diet. You will 
therefore purchase sup])lies of oil, dried and fresh fish, etc. 

As soon as you can determine it fix upon a regular ration, which you can issue 
daily or at regular intervals as experience shall show to be best. 

Outsiders or friends are not to be allowed to gather in and eat with the herders. 
Nor shall the herders be allowed to give them food. If any foodis to be given away it 
must be done by the superintendent or his assistant, andan account kept of the same, 
giving date, approximate amount, and number of recipients. You will encourage 
the herders when off duty to trap for rabbits and foxes both for fur and food. 

When any garment, bedding, skin, or other property (except food) is issued to a 
herder or his wife, charge it against him in a book kept for the purpose. This Avill 
bo a check against wastefulness, prevent anyone receiving more or less than his 
share, and enable us to keep an account of the expense of training each individu.al. 

Wives. — If any of thehei'ders shall bo juarried and have their wives with them, you 
can issue a ration and clothing also to the wife, requiring from her iu return some 
sewing or cooking for the herders. If there are several women you can apportion 
the work among them. 

School. —U circumstances will permit, you will gather the herders that are off duty, 
and such others as may wish to attend, "into the schoolroom for two or three hours 
daily (except Saturday and Sunday) and drill them in elementary reading, arith- 




Samuel Johnsen Kemi, wife, and babe, Teller Reindeer Station, Alaska. 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1723 

metic, ami writlnjr. Special emphasis will be given, l-oth in aiul out of scliool, to 
the Tiso of the P-uglish language. 

Fud.—As far as pos8iT>lo you will procure ;ni(l use driftwood for fuel at the station. 
The coal ia to be reserved for keeping a lire through the night and for seasons Avheu 
you may bo unable to secure driftwood. 

Morals. — It is scarcely necessary to write that you will allow no li<|uor, ganibliu"-, 
profanity, or immorality at the station or among the herders. 

You will allow no barter or unnecessary work at the station on Sunday. 

You or your assistant must always be at the statiou. liotli of you must not be 
absent at the same time. If the station is temporarily removed to the winter graz- 
ing grounds then that for tlio time being becomes headquarters. 

licports. — 1. You will keep a log book or brief daily journal of events at the station, 
extending from July 1 of each year to the follow'ing June 30. This book, ia to be 
mailed to the Bureau of Education. 

2. You will keep in a book fjirnishcd you an itemized statement of all the barter 
for supplies for the station, giving date of transaction, name and quantity of article 
purchased, and articles and quantities of each given in exchange. A copy of this 
statement will be annually forwarded to the United States Bureau of Education. 

3. On the last day of March, .lune, September, and December of each year you 
will make out an inventory of all stores and public property^ in your possession, 
including bedding and cooking utensils in use by the herders. This iloes not include 
the clothing issued to and in »ise 1)y the herders. 

A copy of these reports will be forw^arded by the annual mail to the United States 
Bureau of Education. 

4. On the last day of June each year you Avill make out and mail to the United 
States liureau of Education an annual report of operations at the statipn. h\ this 
report you will embody any recommendations that your experience may suggest for 
the benefit of the station. 

5. On the 1st of August each year you will make a requisition for supplies for the 
following j'car. 

As the work is new and untried, much must necessarily be left to your discretion 
and good judgment. 

Wishing you great success, I remain 
Y'ours truly, 

SiiKLDOX Jackson^, (Iciieral Ai/ent. 
Mr. MiXEU W. BitucR, 

iiuptrintcndcnt of lieindeer Station, I'ort Clarence, Alasla. 



Appendix J. — Domestic Reindeer in Lapland. 

[From Da Cliaillti's Land of the Midnight Sim, vol. 2, pp. 167 and 1G3.] 

The Fjeld Lapp's time is engaged in adding to his herd, to which he and his family 
devote all their energies, for their welfare depends on the growth of the animals. 
It is difflcult to ascertain exactly the increase or decrease of reindeer according to 
the districts, for the people often change, and there has been of late years in the 
north a largo immigration of Norwegian Lapps to the territory of Sweden, especially 
to Keresuando, but, taken as a whole, the population and the reindeer are increasing. 
There is a greater number in Norway than in Sweden, ov>iug to the number of 
stationary bonder (farmer) and sea Lapps, which f;ir outnumber the nomads. 

According to the late census there are in Sweden (1870) 6,702 Laplanders, with 
220,800 reindeer; in Norway (1865), 17,178 Laplanders, with 101,768 reindeer; iu Fin- 
land (1865), 615 Laplanders, with 40,200 reindeer; in Russia (1859), 2,207 Laplanders, 
with 4,200 reindeer. 

"With those that belong to farmers and others I think we may safely say that the 
reindeer number about 400,000. The Samoules have the largest an*! finest breeds 
which are not numbered among those of the Lapps. In Kautokeiuo there are La])p3 
who own 2,000 reindeer; in Sorsele, iu Sweden, one is said to own 5,000, and others 
1,000 and 2,000. Some of the forest Lapps have 1,000. In Lulea Lappmark there 
are herds of over 2,000; in Finmarkeu, of. 5, GOO; and some Lapps have owned as 
many as 10,000. A herd of 2,000 to 2,500 ia said to give about 200 to 250 calves 
yearly. 

Every owner has his own mark branded upon the ears of all his reindeers, and no 
other person has a right to have the same, as this is the lawful proof of ownershi]); 
otherwise, when several herds are mingled on the mountains, the separation would be 
impossible. According to custom no one can make a new mark but must buy that 
of an extinct herd; if these are scarce the price paid to the families that own them 
is often high ; the name of tlie purchaser and each mark have to be recorded in court, 
like those of any other owner and jn'operty. The tax paid is according to the pasture 
land occupied. 



1724 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 

Appendix K. 

U. S. Rkvenue Steamer Bear, 

San Francisco, Cal., December G, 1890. 

Dear Sir: Under orders from the Secretary of the Treasury, I have been ten years 
on the Berina; Sea and Arctic Ocean station of the U. S. Revenue-Marine Service. 

jViy duties have hrought me very closely in contact with and greatly interested me 
in the native population. 

On account of this interest, I have watched with pleasure the coming among them 
of the missionaries of the several churches and. the teachers of tlie Government 
schools. 

I have also seen with apprehension the gradual exhaustion of the native food 
supply. 

From time immemorial they have lived principally on the whale, seal, walrus, sal- 
mon, and wild reindeer. But in the persistent hunt of white men for the whale and 
walrus, the latter has largely disappeared, and tlie former been driven beyond the 
reach of the natives. The white men are also erecting canneries on their best lish- 
ing stream, and the usual supply of fish is being cut off; and with tlie advent of 
improved firearms the wild reindeer are migrating farther and farther away. 

With the disappearance of the whale, walrus, salmon, and reindeer, a very large 
portion of their food sujtply is taken away, and starvation and gradual extinction 
appear in the near future. 

On my recent cruise I was accompanied by Dr. Sheldon .Tackson, Tlnited States 
General Agent of Education, and together we have made the cjuestion of a future 
food supply the subject of special thought and investigation. 

We have. consulted with a few of the leading teachers, missionaries, traders, and 
whaling captains whom we have met, and they, witliout a single exception, agree 
with us that the most practical relief is the introduction of domesticated reindeer- 
into that portion of northern and arctic Alaska adapted to them. 

In Lapland there are 400,000 domesticated reindeer, sustaining a population of 
27,000. In Siberia, but a few miles from Alaska, with climate and country of similar 
conditions, are tens of thousands of tauie reindeer supporting thousands of people, 
and. it will be a very easy and comi>aratively cheap matter to introduce the tame 
reindeer of Siberia into Alaska, and teach the natives the care and management of 
them. 

Tliis it fs pvopo?ed to do in connection with the industrial schools establislied 
among the natives by the Bureau of Education. As in connection with the indus- 
trial schools in Dakota, Indian Territory, and elsewhere, the Indian boy is taught 
the raising of stock, so in the industrial schools of Alaska it is proposed to teach the 
Eskimo young men the raising of tame reindeer. 

A few thousand dollars expended now in the establishment of this new industry 
will save hundreds of thousands hereafter. For if the time comes wlien the Govern- 
ment will be compelled to feed these Eskimo it will cost over $1,000,000. 

In northern Alaska there are about 400,000 square miles that are adapted to tGe 
reindeer and are unlit for anything else. 

This region has a present population of about 20,000, all of whom will be ulti- 
mately benefited by the new industry. 

With an assured support, such as will come from herds of tame reindeer, there is 
no reason why the present population shall not be increased in numbers and advanced 
to the position of civilized, wealth-producing American citizens. 

Asking for your favorable consideration and. earnest advocacy of this matter, 
I remain, very respectfully, 

M. A. Healy, 
Capiatn, U. S. Ecvenue Marine. 

Hon. W. T. Harris, LL. D., 

TJ. S. Commissioner of Education, Washington, D. C. 



destitution among the ALASKA ESKIMO. 

[An interview with Capt. M. A. Healy, IT. S. Revenue-Marine Service, in San Francisco Clironicle 

December 12, 1890.] 

For several seasons past the Eskimo of northwestern Alaska have experienced 
great hardships in obtaining a supply of deer meat for their winter stores. It is to 
be feared that when the yW/r makes her annual visit to the Arctic next summer many 
of the villasies Avill be found to have lost their residents from starvation. The latest 
advices from the Arctic report a failure not only in the autumn deer hunt, but in the 
entire catch of whales, walrus, and seals. 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1725 

Naturally of a timid dispositiou the deer have leurucd tliat the natives with breech- 
loading arms are far luore formidable foes than wlien bows, arrows, and spears were 
employed in the chase. Again, the Eskimo si)aro neither young nor old when a herd 
is found, and little suckling fawns, as well as does carryirg young, fall victims to 
their gUTis. 

I'ormerly on the lower Yukon around St. Michael, on Norton Sound, and in the 
country known as the Kotzebue Sound district, numbers of deer made yearly A'isits. 
Now it is rare to find that the natives living at these points have seen or tasted deer 
meat. 

The Alaskan deer of the arctic and subarctic regions have been confounded with 
the reindeer of other localities, but while certainly belonging to the rangifer family, 
thej'- are the true barren-ground caribou, differing from the upland caribou and 
domesticated reindeer of ].ai)land and Siberia iu being smaller in body and horns. 
From .Inly to September tiio instincts of the deer induce them to come from the inte- 
rior to the seacoast to obtain rest and freedom from the tortures inflicted by the 
hordes of mosquitoes that infest the inland swamjis, and also to get saline matter 
from the herbage and moss growing in proximity to the ocean. In September they 
commence tlieii" inland migration, and from July until the middle of October they 
are ruthlessly imrsned by the natives. Some rest is afforded to the animals during 
the dark days that prevail in the Arctic zone from November until January, but as 
soon after the early pait of February as the Aveather permits the food seekers again 
take the field. The does have their young during April, and by a provision of nature 
the horns of the female only attain size during the time she is suckling the fav/n and 
until it reaches such an age that it can feed^ — about two months. 

When it is considered that a deer weighing on an average 125 pounds is consumed 
at a single sitting by five or sis natives it maybe readily perceived that the average 
returns of a successful hunting party must be large to feed a village. 
- During the past season in the Arctic the attention of Captain Healy, of the United 
States revenue steamer Bear, has been directed in a very pointed manner to the 
attainment of some method whereby the supply of deer for food and clothing pur- 
poses may bo increased in northwestern Alaska. This year, taking advantage of 
the presence on the Bear of Dr. Sheldon Jackson, United States Commissioner of 
Education for Alaska, the captain, in conjunction with Commissioner Jackson, 
iuteiidsto present to the Secretary of the Interior data upon the subject. 

"Within a radius of 100 miles inland from the shores of the ocean on the Sibeinan 
coast, from Cape Navarin to Plover Bay, there are a people known as deer men. 
They belong to the Chukchee tribe of Siberians, and are essentially a nomadic race, 
wandering from East Cape, on the northern coast, to Cai)e Navarin, southward. 
Accompanied by their herds of tame reindeer, aggregating in many instances thou- 
sands, they roam in search of food. These reindeer, w^hiJo resembling the Alaskan 
species in the main, difl'er in the texture of their skins, the pelts being spotted brown 
and white, Avith a smooth surface. These deer men subsist mainly on the products 
of their herds, bartering the skins with the coast natives for tobacco, seal oil, walrus 
hides for their boot soles, and other minor conmiodities, such as powder, shot, lead, 
and flour. At Cape Navarin and East Cape, Siberia, they sometimes meet the whal- 
ing ships and sell them deer meat and skins for tobacco, etc. 

Captain Ilealy's ideas are to propose to the Government that he be empowered to 
purchase a number of these deer of both sexes and transport them on the Bear to 
some point on the Alaskan coast where moss and feed are plentiful. These deer are to 
form the nucleus of a herd, and from the yearly increase they can be distributed over 
other ])orti()ns of the Northwest Territory. As the Alaskan Eskimo are not skilled 
in herding the deer. Captain Healy intends, if permission be granted by the Govern- 
ment, to endeavor to enlist the services of some experienced Siberian natives to 
instruct them. 

Unless some measures be adopted, as suggested by Captain Ilealy, it is sure that a 
decade will witness the extermination of the people of our arctic province on its 
northwest shores. The results of the active and unscrupulous chase of their pelagic 
food supplies by the whalemen have already become evident; walrus are almost 
invisible on the ice floes within reach of the native hunters, while the flurried and 
galled whnle makes its passage to the unknown regions of the Arctic Ocean at a speed 
which defies the natives to capture it. 

The proposition of Captain Healy will be communicated to the Washington 
authorities at an early date. 

DESTKUCTIOX OF THE WHALES. 

[From Bancroft's History of Alaslca, pp. 668 and 609.] 

Of whaling enterprise in the neighborhood of the Alaskan coast mention has 
already been made; but a few statements that Avill serve to explain the enormous 
decrease that has occurred in the catch within the last three decades may not be 
out of place. 



1726 EDUCATION REPOKT, 1892-93. 

Of tli8 000 or 700 Americau wlialors that wore fitted out for tlio eoason of 1857, 
at least one-lialf, inckiding most of the larger vessels, "were cng-aged in the Xortli 
Pacific. The presence of so vast a fleet tended of course to exhaust the Avhaliiig 
grounds or to drive the lisli iiito other waters, for there are no pernianeut wlialiiig 
grounds on any portions of the globe except those encircled by ice for about ten 
months iu the year. In the seas of Greenland, not many years ago, whales were 
rarely to bo seen; in 1870 they were fairly plentiful. The Sea of Okhotsk and the 
waters in the neighboidiood of the Aleutian Islands were a few decades ago favorite 
hunting grounds, but are now almost depleted, while in 1870 the coast of New Siberia 
was swarming with wliales. Schools of sperm whale are occasionally seen between 
the Alaska Peninsula and Prince William Sound, and the humpback sometimes makes 
its apjiearance as far north as Barauof Island. Between Bristol Bay and Bering 
Strait a fair catch is sometimes taken, but most of the vessels forming what is termed 
the North Pacific whaling fleet now pass into the Arctic Ocean in quest of their prey. 
Probably not more than 8 or 10 of them are employed on the whaling grounds of the 
Alaskan coast. 

In 1881 the whaling fleet of the North Pacific mustered only 30 and iu the follow- 
ing year 40 craft, of which 4 were steamers. The catch for 1881 was one of the most 
profitable that has occurred since the date of the transfer, being valued at $l,lo9,00(), 
or an average of about .$57,000 for each vessel, some of them rcttirning with cargoes 
worth $75,000, and few with cargoes worth less than $30,000. In 1883 the catch v/as 
inconsiderable, several of the whalers returning "clean" and few making a profit 
for their owners. 

The threatened destruction of these fisheries is a matter that seems to deserve 
some attention. In 1850, as will bo remembered, it was estimated that 300 whaling 
vessels visited Alaskan waters and the Okhotsk and Bering seas. Two years later 
the value of the catch of the North Pacific fleet was more than $14,000,000. 

After 1852 it graduallv decreased until iu 1862 it was less than $800,000; for 1867 
the amount was about $3,200,000 ; in 1881 it had again fallen to $1,139,000, and for the 
season of 1883 there was a still further reduction. 



San Fraxcisco, Deeemler IS, 1S90. 
Dear "Sin: Referring to your desire to obtain information relative to the intro- 
duction of reindeer into the northwest portion of the Territory of Alaska, I would 
say that iu my opinion the project is entirely feasible. ]My exjierieuce in Alaska 
permits me to state on aiathorifcy that the next decade will witness the extinction of 
the Americau reindeer, or rather caribou. In 1831, when I first visited the district 
of Norton and Kotzebue sounds and the lower Yukon, deer were plentiful. This 
past winter (1889) not a single animal had been seen Avithin a radius of 200 miles. 
Similar conditions are coexisting from Port Clarence to Point Barrow, and where in 
former years the hunters had to travel but 50 miles to reach the deer haunts, to-day 
they traverse twice that distance. These contingencies arise from three causes : 

1. The indiscriminate slaughter of young and old animals. 

2. The use at the present day of improved weapons of the chase in lieu of the 
primitive bows, arrows, and spears. 

3. The conditions of wind prevailing at the seasons when the deer go to and from 
the coast. It must distinctly be understood that upon a supply of these animals 
our Alaskan Eskimo depend for clothing as well as their stores of meat should their 
l^elagic sources of provender fail. 

The proposition to introduce deer from the Siberian herds can be eifected at a cost 
of but a few thousand dollars. 

The location for the first experimental station should be on Choris Peninsula or 
the vicinity of Kotzebue Souud. This location has climatic similarities with Siberia. 
The food (moss) supply is abundant and herding easy. 

As the results of this initial experiment become manifest, additional locations for 
herds can be established. Within two seasons the Chukchee herdsmen will bo able 
to instruct the Eskimo in the style of herding. 

Ihavo made inquiries upon thosubject, andnow giveyou theresult. Ten years ago 
the Russian steamer Alexander went to the Kamchatka Peninsula, and officers of the 
Alaska Commercial Company bought seven male and seven female deer, transporting 
them to Bering Island (one of the islands leased by the company from Russia). Cap- 
tains Blair and Greenberg and Superintendent Lubegoil inform me that the herd 
now numbers ISO. From this you can .judge the rata of propagation. 

The revenue steamer Bear can be utilized for transportation, and I know no man 
more capable of conducting the experiment than Captain Healy. 

I hope that the small sum required will bo voted by Congress, as unless something 
is done for these peo])le their annihilation is only a question of a brief i^eriod. 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IX ALASKA. 1727 

The Avlialers liavo so friglitciicd tlio big fish thnt tlio natives are uual)le to imrsuo 
them iu thcii" vapid passa.u;e, while the extcrminatiou of the walrus is almost a fact. 
Those i-emarks I present as requested. 

Yours, very truly, IIkxuy D. Wooi.rK. 

Dr. SiiELDOX Jackson, 

Washinfjton, D. C. 



WILD KEINDEEK IX ALASKA. 

[t'L:!rli's 11. Townsfud in tlio report of tlio cruiso of tlio TJ. S. Eevenuo Mariue Steamer C'orwm, 1885, 
Capt. j\r. A. llcaly, commaudiug, pp. 87 and 88.] 

Reindeer are fouiid more or less regularly throughout Alaska. They -were foiind 
by Mr. McLenegan on the Noiitak, as well as by our party on the Kowak. Traders 
in the service of the Alaska Comuiereial Comiiauy told mo of their common distribu- 
tion over the Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Aleutian dlA-isions of the country. They have 
even been sbot ou Unimak Island, at the end of the peninsula; but reindeer are 
restless animals, irregular iu their migrations ajid habits. Sometimes they desert 
whole sections of the country for montbs together, and they appear to have with- 
drawn from many regions where firearms have been introduced. Notwithstanding 
the fact that largo herds of reindeer are kept in a state of domestication by the 
Chukchees at East Capo and other well-known places on the Asiatic side of l-eriug 
Straits, with whom the natives of the Alaskan side commnnieato regularly, there 
appears to be no domestication of the species whatever in Alaska, ilor indeed in any 
part of North America. 

In time, when the general use of firearms by the natives of upper Alaska shall have 
reduced the numbers of this wary animal, the iutroduetion of the tamo variety, 
which is a substantial support to the people just across tho straits, among our own 
thriftless, alcohol-bewitched Eskimos, Avould be a philanthropic movement, contrib- 
uting more toward their ameliorixtion than any sy.stem of schools or kindred charities. 
Thenativo boats could never accomplish the importation, which would, however, 
present no difficulty to ordinary seagoing vessels. Tho ta.ming of the American rein- 
deer is impracticable, for domestication with this animal at least is the result of 
subjection through many generations. Something tending to render a; wild people 
pastoral or agricultural ought to bo the first step toward their advancement. In 
our management of these people, " purchased from the Eussians," wo have an oppor- 
tunity to atone, iua measure, for a century of dishonorable treatment of the Indian. 



i:eindeer. 

[From Eiicyclopedi.i Eritaimica, vol. 7, pp. 2i and 20.] 

The reindeer (Tarandus rangifer), the only domesticated species of deer, has'a range 
somewhat similar to tho elk, extending over tho entire boreal region of both hemis- 
pheres, from Greenland and Spitsbergen in tho north to New Brunswick in the south. 
There are several Avell-marked varieties, difi'eriug greatly in size and in form of tho 
antlers, tho largest forms occurring farthest north, while by many writers tho 
American reindeer, which has never been domesticated, is regarded as a distinct 
species. The antlers, Avhich are long and branching, and considerably 2>almated, 
aro present in both sexes, although iu the female they are slender and less branched 
than the males. In the hitter they appear at a much earlier ago than in any other 
species of deer, and Darwin conjectures that in this circumstance a key to their ex- 
ceptional appearance in tho female may be found. The reindeer has long been 
domesticated in Scandinavia, and is of indispensable importance to the Lapland 
race, to whom it serves at once as a substitute for the horse, cow, sheep, and goat. 
As a beast of burden it is capable of drawing a weight of SOO pounds, while its lleet- 
ncsii and endurance are still more remarkable. Harnessed to a sledge, it will travel 
without dilficulty 100 miles a day over the frozen snow, its broad and deeply cleft 
hoofs Iseing admirably adapted ibr traveling over such a surface. 

During summer the Lapland reindeer feeds chietly on the young shoots of the 
willow and birch; and us at this season migratiou to the coast seems necessarj'- to the 
well being of the species, the Ijaplander, with his family and. herds, sojourns for sev- 
eralmonths in the neighborhood of tho sea. In Avinter its food consists chiefly of the 
reindeer moss and other lichens, whichit makes use of its hoofs in seekingfor beneath 
the snow. The wild reindeer grows to a much greater size than the tamo breed, but 



1728 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 

iu Northern Europe tlio former are being' gradually reduced througli the natives 
entrapping and domesticating them. The tamo breed found in Northern Asia is much 
larger than the Lapland form and is there used to ride on. There are two distinct 
varieties of the American reindeer, the barren-ground caribou and the Avoodland 
caribou. The former, which is larger and more widely distributed of the two, fre- 
quents in summer the shores of the Arctic Sea, retiriug to the woods in autumn to 
feed on the tree aud other lichens. The latter occupies a very limitedtract of wood- 
land country, and, nnlike tlie barren-ground form, migrates southward in spring. 
The American reindeer travel in great herds, and, being both unsuspicious and curi- 
ous, they fall ready victims to the bow and arrow or the cunning snare of the Indian, 
to whom their carcasses form the chief source of food, clothing, tents, and tools. 



Appkndix L. 

Capt. M. A. Healy, in January, 1892, writing to Senator Charles N. Felton, says: 

"The three great problems of existence of both natives and whites in the Terri- 
tory of Alaska are food, clothing, and transportation. They are to be solved in a 
rigorous climate and rough and almost impenetrable country, and one in which noth- 
ing as yet is produced from the ground. The food supply must either be found iu 
the flesh of the wild animals and birds of the country or brought froui without. 
With the white population the food might be said to be brought wholly from with- 
out. The enormous expense this entails has kept this population down to the nar- 
rowest limit of employees of firms or companies capable of maintaining stations 
there and confined these stations to a few scattered well-knoAvn points along the 
immense stretch of seacoast or on some of the principal rivers, as the Yukon. 

"Food supplij. — The native population of the northwest part of the country depend 
for food upon whale, walrus, seal, fish, aud what few wild animals, such as deer and 
caribou, they can kill. The whale aud walrus have been so persistently pursued by 
white men that they have rapidly diminished aud are now so scarce iind shy that 
their capture by the natives is attended with great difficulty and uncertainty. This 
scarcity of their principal supply of food is greatly felt by the natives along the 
whole northwest coast and to such an extent that in the short space of winter whole 
villages haA'e been wiped out. 

"I have seen almost the entire population of St, Lawrence Island lying strewn 
about their hi:ts dead from starvation. Aud this winter of 1891-92 the same fate 
may be that of Kings Island. Upon my visit there iu September last, the seal aud 
walrus catch having failed them, the natives were reduced to the direst extremities. 
Their larders were exhausted aud their only means of subsistence their dogs and 
the kelp and carrion cast up by the tide. What supplies could be spared from the 
vessel and what bought at St. Michaels station were given the people with the hope 
that it would tide them over until more successful hunting. But this hope is not 
without misgiving that upon my return in the spring I shall find many of them whom 
I count as friends cold in death. Tlic iuterior natives are dependent wholly upon 
caribou and deer and what fish come into their streams dixring the short summer. 
Cariljou and deer are rapidly diminishing there, as they have in other countries, and 
the fishiiig streams are being taken up by white men, so that the liues of existence 
are ou all sides being drawn tighter and tighter about these ijoor native Alaskans. 

"Hthidecr-slcin cloihiug. — Clothiug of reindeer skin has been found the best and 
only kind to withstand the intense aud continued cold of the countrj'. These skins 
are now bartered at a high price from the natives of the Siberian coast, and are 
passed along the Siberian side from Aillage to village, increasing in value the farther 
they go from the IJering Straits. The experience of wliite men and natives has been 
the same, and even in our summer visits to the country we on the vessel use rein- 
deer clotlaiug to keep from suffering. 

"The methods of transportation now in use in Alaska are by dog trains and boats. 
By boat it is impossible to travel nine mouths in the year, and during the three 
months of summer when the streams are open they can be used ouly down stream. 
By dog trains transportation is limited, slow, aud uncertain, aud the greater part of 
the load is taken up with food for the animals. These dogs have been so closely bred 
that they are now degenerated in size, strength and sagacity. I haA'e for years been 
requested by natives to bring them a larger breed to improve their dogs, and the 
Hudson Bay Company has imported the English mastitf for use in trains where the 
native dog is too slight. 

"Among the whites the greatest difficulty experienced by miners, missionaries, 
explorers, and residents has been the Avant of a rai)id and assured means of trans- 
portation. The history of every expedition that has penetrated into the country 
any distance from the coast has been one of suftering and oftentimes hunger from 
the difficulty of travel and packing. Horses, cattle, asses, and other beasts of 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1729 

burden, exceptiucf tnuio reiiuleor, are out of the question, because they can not live 
in the country, and it is iiiipossiblo to i)ro\-i(^e food for tlioin when snow co^'crs the 
ground the larger part of the year. On account of tliis difHcully tiie country, 
except ah)n^ the scacoast and a few of tho navigable rivers, is as little known to-day 
as when it was first bought. And those great mineral deposits which Alaska is said 
to contain remain as yet undiscovered. 

" Jl'liat the rciiulccr mUjId do. — To my mind tho only satisfactorj' solution of all 
three of tlieso problems, important as they are, is the introduction of tame reindeer 
into tlie country. In proper numbers tliey will translbriu the native population 
from a fishing to a pastoral people, and prove to them a never-failing supply of food. 
The bides of the animals already furnish almost the only clothing used, but at a 
greatly exaggerated cost. And to tlie while explorers, miners, missionaries, and 
settlers tlio reindeer will prove a means of transi)ortatiou and packing that will 
enable them to leinn and develop tho resources of a vast country. 

" Tlie natives of Siberia have for centuries herded and reared the tame reindeer, 
and thus been safe against periodical periods of starvation when the whale and 
walrus fail them. They are a strong, swift, and hardy animal, tractable and easily 
broken to harness and packing, and especially adapted, or, in fact, made for the 
country and climate. In travel they are self-sustaining. The snpjily of moss upon 
wliich they feed covers the whole of northern Alaska, and instinct leads tlieiu to 
secure it in winter as well as summer by burrowing through the deepest snows. It 
is not necessary lor us to speak of ilie value of such pack animals to the jirospector. 
To tho explorer they are equally valuable, and when supplies fail are equally valu- 
able as food. 

"If I may revert back to the days of the "Western Union Telegraph expedition to 
that part of the country where reindeer could be procured for drafting as well as 
for food, the thousand and one obstacles that at first seemed insurmountable were, 
through tlie medium of these aninuils, easily overcome. 

" The natives of Alaska quite see the advantage of such an animal in their midst, 
have expressed to me their eager wishes for them, and along tho Yukon, the most 
thickly settled i^art of the country, the white people are enthusiastic over their 
introduction, for in them they see a solution of many of the ditliculties of existence 
there. 

"The Siberians ^viU sell. — Some writers and others have claimed that the Siberian 
natives will not sell reindeer to white men, but Dr. Jackson and I have disproved 
this by buying during the past summer, at diflerent points on the Siberian coast, six- 
teen of the animals, and securing promises to sell ns as many as we could take care 
of the coming summer, should they be wanted. The sixteen we purchased, the first 
ones to be introduced into the Territory, we jilaced at Uualaska for propagation. 

"I believe this is tlie most, important question that bears upon the Territory of 
Alaska to-day, and a small sum donated by Congress for the purpose will in the end 
develop the country, its character and resources, and prove a great benefit to the 
commerce and wealth of the United States in general and the Pacific Coast in 
particular. 

" I am not referring to the Alaska of the tourist— that narrow strip of island from 
the soutliernmost boundary to Sitka— hut to that immense territory of 500,000 square 
miles of the north and west, of which the world has no knowledge and no conception, 
and to which the Alaska of the tourist bears as much relation as the State of Florida 
does to the whole United States." 



APPLICATION FOR A TEAM OP REINDEER. 

Forty-Mile Creek, Atir/ust 13, 1892. 
Dear Sir: Captain Peterson informs me that you would bring some reindeer, 
bought by the Government, to distribute in Alaska. If you did get any, and send me 
a pair, or better, two cows and one bull, I will surely reward your trouble. lam 
doing freighting here in the winter with dogs, and reindeer would be far ahead of 
them. You could leave them in somebody's care in St. Michael for the winter and 
have them sent up here in the spring. I will pay for all the expenses. If you did 
not get anj' this year for the Government, and yon have a chance to buy some for 
me, I wish you would do it, and I will pay for them, whatever it is. 
Respectfully, 

Fritz Kloke, 
Forty-Mile Creek, Alaska. 
ED 93 109 



1730 EDUCATION REPORT, 1802-93. 

ApPEXDIX M. — COMMKRCIAL YaLUE OF EeIXDEER. 

[X. TViilth, importer anil commission raercliant of Scanilinaviau products, 63 Eroadwaj', room 29. 
Cable address, " Punclicon, New York."] 

607 Pexn Mutual Building, 
Philadelphia, Pa., Jjjril 16, ISO,?. 
Dr. Sheldox Jacksox, 

Bureau of Education, Washington: 

I received your favor of the 14tli and a pimplilet, wliicli I have read witli great 
interest. If reindeer can be imported in Alaska from Siberia and if tli( re exists 
abundauce of reindeer moss in Alaska, tlie facilities for realizing the lilan are rather 
great. 

Besides the advantages mentioned in the pamphlet, there exists one to which I 
Avant to call your attention — the great commercial iaiportauce. 

To Sweden and Norway it is not only the Laplanders who live on reindeer; 
smoked reindeer meat and smoked tongues are sold everywhere in the said countries 
and the hides are in great demand^ tanned to a soft skin (used for gloves, military 
riding trousers, etc.). 

There are merchants in Stockholm the onlj'- trade of whom is in Lapland products, 
and the skins, dried with the hairs on, are exported by the thousands to Germany 
and England. I sold myself, 1878, about 5,000 such skins to a firm in Leipzig, Ger- 
many. The Norwegian Preserving Company use largo quantities of reindeer meat 
for canning, and fresh it is considered a delicacy. Russia exports fresh reindeer 
meat, frozen, in carloads to Germany. 

The i)rice of smoked hams is in Sweden aboxit 10 to 9 cents a pound; of smoked 
tongues, 8 to 10 cents apiece (or a pair, I can not exactly remember which) ; of dried 
hides, with hair on, $1.25 to $1.75 apiece, and more if they are not worm-bitten. 
The Swedish reindeer have mostly a kind of insect which lays its eggs in their skins; 
this causes holes, which are seen in the skin when tanned and diminish tlieir value. 
The hairs are in great demand for the filling of life-saving apparatus (buoys, etc.), 
while they possess buoyancy in a wondrous degree. The best existing glue is made 
of reindeer horns. If I were sure of getting a trade in tliese articles and had the 
money I would not consider it a moment, but go to Alaska at the lirst opportunity 
and malvo a fortune in ten years. 

The number of reindeer killed for the trade (besides what the Laplanders use for 
themselves) is yearly 12,000 to 15,000 in Norway, probably G,000 to 7,000; besides, 
Sweden imports large quantities of meat and skins from Finland. 

In 1881 1 visited the fair in Nizhnee-Novgorod, Russia, and Ijecame there acquainted 
with a merchant from Nuhangel, who had brought to the fair 5,000 pair smoked 
tongues and 6,000 tanned skins (the tanned skins have a value of $2 to $3 apiece). 
A Swedish dragoon regiment wear trousers exclusively made of tanned reindeer 
skins (no other material permitted). 

I think these ficts might be of some interest. Captain Ilealy says in his letter; 
" If the Government will be compelled to feed the Eskimo it will cost over $1,000',000." 
If the Government realize tlie plan of domesticating reindeer, it Avould probably 
bring a good yearly income to the United StatcK, 

Yours, respectfully, N. "Width. 

I should be very much pleased to learn later on how far the project succeeds and 
what steps the Government will take. If I moA'e to Puget Sound next fall I shall 
probably make a trip to Alaska. 



Philadelphia, Pa., Deccmhcr 31, 1802. 

DeaPv Sir: Your favor of the 29th received, and in answer beg to say, that I wrote 
to a friend m Norway about a book or pamphlet, as desired ; I think, hov\ever, it 
would be easier to get such book from England, as prob,ably some English tourist or 
other has written about the Laplanders, who always have been an object of great 
interest to tourists traveling in Norway. 

The acclimatization of reindeer in Alaska would most certainly considerably 
increase the revenues from this province, as soon as some thousand deer could bo 
yearly slaughtered and tlie hides and meat brought into the market. I believe I 
have written to you hereabout on a previous occasion; the tanned skins (soft and 
with a beautiful yellow color) would no doubt find a ready sale; in Sweden tliey avo 
paid with seven to ton kr. ($2 to $2.75) and used for military pnutaloous, gloves, bed- 
pillows, etc., and the hair, owing to its great buoyant quality, is much used for 
life-saving material. Russia sends frozen reindeer meat by carloads to Germany. 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1731 

If I ba<I capital, aud if tlic climate in Alaska -wtro not too severe, I would like 
very imicli to start such trade, in Avliicli I have some ex])erience. 

There is also another animal which would suit admirably for Alaska — the so-called 
"Tliibetiau ox," "yak," also '• gruntin^i;; ox "' (probably while gruutin^- as a hog). 
The animal has feet as a goat, well fitted for climbing rocks aud stones; the cow 
gives an excellent milk, which gives an excellent butter (the reindeer has uot this 
merit) ; is used in Tiiibet also very much lor transjiorting purposes. This ox, which 
is to the uatives in Thibet what the reindeer is to Laplanders, is admirablj'^ qualilied 
to sustain cold, seems even to love the cold, and to thrive best in cold and rough 
weather; it loves to tlirow itself in frozen lakes and rivers, to lie in snow and shady 
places, is always lying in the open air, has to seek its food for itself, only the herders 
have to take care to bring it down in the Vv'inter in the lower regions wlicro the snow 
melts aud the food is accessible. 

In Thibet these animals are completely left to themselves; if taken some care of 
they might multiply quicker and be much improved. They are seen in the zoolog- 
ical gardens in Europe, probably also in this country; might be shipped from Bom- 
bay or Calcutta, I presume. This animal might become 1)y and by as abundant in 
Alaska as formerly Averc the buftalo ou the Western prairies, and make Alaska a 
visiting place for sportsmen. 

With my compliments for the New Year, I remain, dear sir, yours, respectfully, 

N. Width. 
Eev. SiiELDOX Jacksox, 

Washington, I). C. 

P. S. — As a proof of what man can do with a good will and good sense, even in the 
cold, inhospitable region, I wish to mention that in a place in Sweden, under 67^ 
north latitude, where rich iron ores have been found aud bought by an English com- 
pany, a Swedish colonel and engineer in 1890 planted a grand park and garden, 
where all kinds of vegetables are growing, even rhubarb, asparagus, cauliiiowcr, 
raspberries, strawberries, currants, large iiine aud birch trees. The park has an 
area of 2,800 to 3,000 square feet. 



Appendix N. 

The CnAMBER of Commeiice of San Francisco, 

San Francisco, January :?0, ISOl, 
liesolreil, That our delegation in Congress be requested to urge the passage of the 
joint resolution introduced December 19, 1890 (H. Kes. 258), extending to Alaska the 
benefit of laws encouraging instruction in agriculture and the mechanic arts. 

Adopted unanimously by the Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco this 20th 
day of January, A. D. 1891. 
Attest: » 

[seal.] Tugs. J. Haynes, Scvreianj. 



THE TRIBES, MISSIONS, AND SCHOOLS OF ALASKA. 

So many inquiries have been made for general information with regard to Alaska, 
that it seems expedient to make a report which contains a general survey of the 
tribes, villages, missions and schools of this unique region. 

Scattered over this vast North-land, in clustery of small settlements, is a popula- 

" 3uts, 1,75G Creoles, 
total of o3.G23. 



tion composed approximatelv of 15,000 Innuit, or Eskimo, 2,145 Aleuts 
5,100 Tinneh, 3,000 Thliugets, 788 Hydah, aud 2,000 whites, making a 



THE IXXUIT. 



The Innuit occupy the entire coast line of Alaska, with the outlying islands along 
the Arctic coast to Bering Strait; thence southward to the Alaska Peninsula, over the 
peninsula and eastward and northward along the Pacific Coast to Mount St. Elias, 
with The exception of a small territory on Cook's Inlet and at the mouth of Copper 
River, where the Tinneh from the interior have forced their way to the coast. Occu- 
liying the coast line, they arc bold navigators and skilled fishermen and sea hunters. 

The term "Innuit" is the native word for "people," and is the name used by them- 
selves, signifving "our people." The term "Eskimo" is one of reproach given them 
by their neighbors, meaning "raw-lish eaters." The Innuit of Alaska area much 
finer race physically than their brethren of Greenland and Labrador. They are tall 
and muscular, many of them being Gfuet aud over in height. They have small black 



1732 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93, 

eyes, Ligli cheek bones, large inoutli, thick lips, coarse brown hair, ard fresh yellow 
complexious. In many instances the men have full beards and mustaches. In some 
sections the men wear a labret under each corner of the mouth, la a hole cut through 
the lower lip for the purpose. 

Thej' are a good-natured people, always smiling when spoken to. They are fond 
of dancing, running, jumping, and all athletic sports. While they speak a common 
languago from the Arctic to the Pacific, each locality has its own dialect. 

The native dress is the parkas, made of the skins of animals and sometimes of the 
bre:ists of birds and skins of fishes. How<'ver, where they have access to the stores 
of traders the more progressive buy ready-made clothing. 

Their residences have the outward appearance of a circular mound of earth covered 
with grass, Avith a small opening at the top for the escape of smoke. The entrance 
is a small and narrow hallway to the nuiiu room, which is from 12 to 20 feet in diame- 
ter, and is without light or ventilation. Those of the Kadiak district have one or 
two small bedrooms opening into the main room. 

The diet consists of the meat of the moose, reindeer, bear, and smaller fur-bearing 
animals; also of lish, the white whale, the walrus, seal, and various waterfowl. In 
the northern section they have a great aversion to salt. While they will eat with 
great relish decayed fish or putrid oil, they will spit out with a wry face a mouthful 
of clioico corned beef. 

Men, Avomen, and children are inveterate smokers. 

While they travel continually in the summer, ihey have permanent winter homes. 

Their religious belief is quite indefinite. In a general way they believe in a power 
that rewards the good and punishes the bad, by sending them to different places 
after death. They are barbarians, and, with the exception of those in southern 
Alaslta, have not had civilizing, educational, or religious advantages. 

From the boundary line to Bering Strait, along the bleak Arctic coast, villages a"re 
placed here and there, wherever there is a sheltered harbor with good hunting or 
lishing; the population of these aggregates 3,000. 

At Point Barrow, the most northern portion of land on the continent, there is a 
village (Nuwuk) of 31 families and 150 peoj)le. They inhabit houses or tupecs that 
are built partly under ground for warmth. The upper portion is roofed over with 
dirt, supported by rafters of Avhale jaws and ribs. Eight or 10 miles south of 
Nuwuk is Oot-ke-ah-ve, with a population of 300 to 400. 

This is one of the villages selected by the United States Bureau of Education for 
the establishment of a school, the contract for which was given to the Board of 
Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church for the Woman's Executive Committee 
of Home Missions. The money necessary for its establishment was generously con- 
tributed by Mrs. Elliott F. Shepard, of New York. The first teacher was Prof. L. M. 
Stevenson, of Versailles, Ohio, who reached the place ou July 30, 1890. 

In 1892 Mr. Stevenson was appointed bj"^ the Government keeper of the Refuge 
Station. This station is, next to Upernavik, Greenland, th(s northernmost mission in 
the world. Mv. Stevenson reports it very interesting to see their black eyes iiash 
and their dusky countenances brighten as they learn a new word or a new combina- 
tion of figures. They seem to pride themselves ou knowing English, but manifest 
little desire to speak it, as that woald be breaking off" from tlieir traditions, and 
I their im-ut-koots (doctors) would let the evil one take full possession of them for 
thus abandoning the style of former days. 

The atteudauce for the most part was very irregular, owing to the trips that had 
to be made out to the caches where the deer meat was stored, and which they brought 
in for food, as required, and for the catching of seals for both food and fuel. 

After the age of 4 is reached, no parent is able to tell the age of his children, and 
they are not positively certain beyond 3 years, so that the classification by ages in 
Bcliool is mere guesswork. Knowledge of the past is summed up in the single word 
"i-pan-ee," which may be yesterday or ten thousand years ago, or any indefinite 
period. 

Five seems to be the basis and almost the extent of their mathematical compre- 
hension, and beyond the limit of 15 the best of them become confused, and cut otf 
further count by a single word, "am-a-lok-tuk," which may be anything, from 1 
upAvard. It eeems to mean plenty. If there is enough for the present meal it is 
"am-a-lok-tuk." 

The coldest weather reported was 42^° below zero. The long, dark (for the night 
extends from November 19 to January 23) Arctic winter wore away until April 14, 
when the report of "whales seen in the lead" set everyone wild with excitement, 
nearly breaking up the school. All the pupils large enough left immediately to hunt 
whales, and a few weeks later the remaining boys and girls left to drive the dog 
teanis that were transporting the Avhalebone and meat to the village from the edge 
of the ice, from 12 to 20 miles out to sea. 

At this village is also located the Government refuge station for shipwrecked 
whalers. Within the past ten years some 2,000 sailors have been wrecked oa this 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1733 

Arctic coast. So far tliey liuvo been fortuuato in fiiKliui;; vessels within reach to 
cany thoin sonth to civilization, but the occasion is liable to conio any season when 
they will bo compelled to winter here. To a larjjo body of men this means slow star- 
Aation and death. They could not subsist on the country, and there is no adequate 
provision within 1,500 to 2,000 miles; and when the hn\g Arctic winter sets in no 
power on earth could reach them with help. To provide against any such horrible 
tragedy Capt. M. A. Ilcaly, U. S. R. M., saw the need of having an ample supply of 
jtrovisions stored at some central ])lace in the Arctic region. The plan grew and took 
shape in his own mind, lie enlisted his friends and the men interested in the whal- 
ing industry, particularly in Kvav Bedford and San Francisco, and finally, after many 
vexatious delays that would have discouraged a less persistent man, Congress voted 
the money for erecting the buildings and procuring the provisions. 

In 1889 Captain Healy brought np the materials and erected the main building, 
which is a low one-story structure, 30 by 48 feet in size. The walls, roof, and lloor 
are made double, as a ])i"oteitiou against the intense cold of this high northern lati- 
tude in winter. It will accommodate 50 men comfortably; it can shelter 100 if 
necessary. The house has jirovisious for 100 men twelve months, and is admirably 
adapted for its purpose. 

Three hundred and ten miles south of Point Barrow, on the Arctic coast, is Point 
Hope, with a population of 300. At this village is a successful mission and school, 
conducted by Mr. John B. Driggs, M. D., under the auspices of the Protestant Epis- 
coi)al Missionary Society. During the winter of 1890-91 the attendance at the school 
numbered 68. 

The school was opened on the 1st of October, 1890. The day brought with it a 
blizzard and snowstorm that lasted for nine days. During the morning the teacher 
occupied the schoolroom alone, but as time wore on and no pupils came he put on 
his furs and started for the village to hunt up the children, tjpon going outside the 
house he found a boy walking on the beach. Taking him into the schoolroom, he 
connnenced school. At the close of the afternoon he presented his pupil with a 
couple of pancakes left from his own breakfast. The effect wasequ.al to any reward 
of merit. That boy proved one of the most regular in attendance during the entii'O 
winter season. The next morning 4 presented themselves, and from that the school 
grew to G8. A mixture of flour, molasses, and water made into a sort of cake, a little 
of which was given to the pupils each evening, proved a very cheap and efllcient 
method of securing regular attendance, and promoting discii)line, as they had to be 
both present and perfect in their deportment iind recitations to bo entitled to cake. 
The scholars usually arrived from G to 7 iu the morning and remained all day. The 
sun disappeared on the 10th of December aud returned on the 3d of January, giv- 
ing them a night of tw-enty-four days. Lamps were required in the schoolroom 
from November 12 to February 9. The thermometer varied in the coldest weather 
from 27^ to 31° below^ zero, the average of the winter being jirobably about 15° 
below zero. During February and a portion of ]\!arch a series of blizzards set in 
that were beyond description. The ice was solid across the ocean to Cape Prince of 
Wales, 200 miles distant. The effect of the gales was such that at times it seenjed as 
if tile schoolhouse must be blown away. Suow flew in perfect sheets. The school- 
house was located 2 miles from the village, and yet, notwithstanding the storms 
and distance, the attendance was good. For a few days the teacher hired men to 
sie the little ones safely home through the storm (the 2 miles distance), but soon 
found that the i^recaution was unnecessary; that they were accustomed to take care 
of themselves. 

Two hundred and twenty miles south of Point Hope is situated the village of Cape 
Prince of Wales, on the American side of Bering Straits. It contains a population 
of ,539 Kskimos. In 1890 the American Missionary Association (Congregational) 
established a station at this place, with Messrs. W, T, Lopp and H, R. Thornton 
teachers. School was opened on the 18th of August, 1890, with only about one-fourth 
of the population returned to the village from their summer's hunt. 

The school being established among a wild people, who had known no restraints 
and who could not comprehend the purposes or language of the teachers in coming 
to them, at first, through misapprehension, there was a good deal of trouble. On the 
19th of Seiitember Eliguak, one of the wealthiest men of the village, and one of his 
wives, both in a state of beastly intoxication, tried to force their way into the house. 
On the 23d of September some of the students became so boisterous and unruly in 
the schoolroom that they also had to bo excluded from the house. And again, in 
November, drunken parties tried to break in and make a disturbance, so that for 
two months the teachers taught, ate, worked, and slept with loaded arms at hand, 
not knowing at what moment they might have to defend the property committed to 
them, and their lives. They were constantly harrassed with questions as to when 
resistance should begin r.nd how far it would be .justifiable, debating in their own 
minds whether it would bo better to allow themselves to be robbed or murdered 
without resistance, or through resistance make the savages respect their manhood. 



1734 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 

Tho danger to the station -was greatly increased by an epidemic of tlio grip, wliicli 
carried away 26 i)eople in two montlis. This was Ly tho superstitious of the people 
attributed to the presence of tho Avhito men among them. However, through tact 
and good management and the providence of G'od, hostilities were prevented, and 
by January the strained situation was greatly relieved. Mutual confidence sprang 
up between tho natives and the teachers. Having heard, before going to the place, 
of tho bad reputation of tho people (which, however, it was^ found they did not 
deserve), and feeling that a people who know nothing of schools would not endure 
for any length of time the restraints of a schoolroom, and the cost of building being 
very great (all lumber and material being sent from Sau Francisco, 3,000 miles), tho 
schoolhouso was built to hohl about 50 iiupils, and it Avas thought that if 50 pux^ils 
could be obtained among such a jieoplo, under such circumstances, it would be a very 
great success. But, to tho astonishment of the teachers themselves and to the aston- 
ishment of tho fi'iends of education interested in these Arctic schools, it was found 
that the total enrollment for the first year was 301 pupils, out of a X)opulation of 539 
people. Tho average daily attendance for tho last seven months of tho school was 
14G, and tho average daily attendance for tho whole session of nine months was 105. 
As the schoolroom would hold only about 50 at a time, the teachers were comjielled 
to divide the pupils into three classes and hold morning, afternoon, and evening 
sessions of school. And then, to prevent the children who belonged to the afternoon 
or evening school from smuggling themselves into the morning session, or the morn- 
ing children from remaining to tho afternoon or evening session, it was found neces- 
sary to build two parallel snow walls some distance from the schoolroom door, and 
when tho bell stopijed ringing for school tho teachers ranged themselves on either 
side, in order to sift tho children that were trying to get into the schoolroom. It 
Avas with great difficulty that tho pupils were made to understand that it was not 
proper to talk and laugh and jump over tho benches in tho schoolroom during school 
as much as they pleased; nor could they understand why 30 or 40 visitors could not 
lounge about the room which was needed for those who desired to study; so that 
upon several occasions it became necessary to exclude certain parties from the school- 
room ; but exclusion for a few days was all that was necessary. It was considered 
a great punishment not to be able to come to school. During the epidemic a number 
of slates that the children had been allowed to take home at ni^ht were returned 
by order of tho medicine men, who ascribed much of tho sickness to tho slates and 
tiio pictures which the children made upon them — they Were "bad medicine.'' 

Tlio teachers began their school work by learning tho Eskimo names of the most 
important objects in daily use and training their pupils in the English equivalents. 
From Avords they proceeded to i)hrases, and from phrases to sentences, teaching them 
to translate the Eskimo into English and vice versa. Thoy gradually added English 
letters and numbers, together with some elementary geography and arithmetic. 
Although they had had a combined experience of thirteen years in tho schoolroom 
in the States, the teachers declare that they never had more quick-witted, intelli- 
gent pupils than these wild Eskimo children. At the beginning of the school year 
only a foAV could count ten, in a blundering fashion,- and nine-tenths of the pupils 
knew practically no English whatever. At tho close of the first school year they 
had a good working vocabulary, knew something of geography and map drawing, 
understood thoroughly the decimal basis of our numhers, could count up to one thou- 
sand, Avork examples in simple addition, Avrito and read simple English words, and 
carry on a conversation in English on everyday practical matters. The pupils shoAved 
a remarkable desire to learn for learning's sake. During 1891-92 the average daily 
al tendance was 1C6, and during 1892-93, ICO. 

In the summer of 1893 Mr. W. T. Lopp was appointed superintendent of the rein- 
deer station at Port Clarence, and, with^iis wife, removed to that place, leaving Mr. 
and Mrs. H. R. Thornton in charge of the mission. On tho 19tli of August, 1893, 
Mr. Thornton was assassinated by two young men Avhom he had expelled from school 
for disorderly conduct. The community at once showed their horror at the act by 
summarily killing both the murderers. 

After the death of her husband Mrs. Thornton returned to her parents in Maine, 
and the mission was closed for tho season of 1893-94. 

This mission is an important point from Avhich to carry Christian civilization 
across to the tribes of Siberia, 46 miles distant. 

In the narrow strait separating Asia from America is a small group of islands 
called the Diomede. On these islands are three hundred Innuit. 

Tlie largest of tho Diomedo Islands belongs to Russia and tho smaller one to the 
United States. They are both inhabited, and at this point tho inhabitants of Russia 
and the United States are only separated by a channel 2 miles Avide. 

The Eskimo of the Diomedes, with those at Capo Priuco of Wales, a,re the great 
smugglers of the north. Launching their walrus-skin boats (umuiak), they boldly 
cross to and from Siberia, trading the deerskins, sinew, and wooden ware of Alaska 
for tlie Avalrus, ivory, skins of tame reindeer and whale blubber of Siberia, iirearms, 
and Avhisky. 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1735 

Nearly midway botwoLMi Ca]io Princoof Wales anil Point Hope is Kotzebno Round, 
around which arc a number of villages of the Arctic ICslvinio. .Some of the hills sur- 
rounding this sound rise to the height of a tliousand feet, and are covered with a 
species of wild cotton that in its season gives the appearance of snow. 

The Noatak and Kowak rivers, both largo streams, and also the Salawick, empty 
into the sound. This is one of the places where liie people come in July from all 
sectioi'.s of the country I'orthei)urpose3 of trade and biiiter. The InnuLt of the coast 
bring thiiroil, walrus hides, and seal skins; the Tinneh their furs from the interior, 
and the Chuckchees their reindeer skins, firearms, and whisky from Asia. 

On King's Island, south of Capo Prince of AVales, is a village of cave dwellers, 
numbering 200. This is one of the most remarkable settlements in America. 'J'ho 
island is a great mass of basalt rock, about a mlloin length, rising from the eea with 
periiendic\ilar sides from 700 to l,OiOfeet above the water. On the south side the 
wall is broken down by a ravine rising at an angle of 45°, which is ilUed Avith loose 
rock. A great permanent snow bank tills the ravine from the bottom to the top of 
the mountain. On the west side of the snow is the village of Ouk-ivak, which con- 
sists of some 40 dwellings or underground houses, partly excavated in the side of 
the hill, and built up with stonewalls. Across the top of these walls are large poles 
made from the driftwood that is caught floating around the island. Upon these are 
placed hides and grass, which are in" turn covered witli dirt. A low.tunnel or dirt- 
cover<'d hallway, iO to 15 feet long, leads directly under the center of the dwelling. 
This is so loAV that it is necessary to stoop and often creep in entering. At the end 
of the hall, directly overhead, is a hole about 18 inches in diameter. This is the 
entrance to the dwelling above. 

Frequently in sunmier these caves become too damp to live in. The people then 
erect a summer house upon the top of the winter one. The summer house consists 
of walrus hides stretched over a wooden frame, making a room from 10 to 15 feet 
square. These summer houses are guyed to rocks with rawhide ropes, to prevent 
them from being blown olf into the sea. The entrance is an oval hole in the walrus 
hide, about 2 feet above the floor. Outside of the door is a narrow platform about 
2 feet wide, leading back to the side of the hill. Some of these platforms are from 
15 to 20 feet aliove tlio roofs of the huts below them. Across the ravine from the 
village, at the base of the perpendicular sides of the island, is a cave, into the mouth 
of which the surf dashes and roars. At the back of the cave is a large bank of per- 
j)etual snow. This cave is the storehouse of the Avholo village. Walrus and seal 
meat is stored away in rooms excavated in the snow. As the temperature in the 
cave never rises above the freezing x-oiut, meat so stored soon freezes solid and 
keeps indefinitely. 

South of King's Island is that of St. Lawrence, the largest island in Bering Sea. 
On the extreme northwest corner is the village of Chib-u-Chak, with 21 houses, con- 
taining a population of 270, of whom 125 are under 21 years of ago. The houses are 
from 20 to 50 feet in size. For a distance of 5 or 6 feet above the ground the walls 
are built of driftwood, whalebone, or timbers andx^lanks from shij) wrecked vessels. 
These are iilaced on end, side by side, forming an inclosure in a circular or oblong 
form. The cracks betv\eeu these planks are stuli'ed with moss. The rafters are cov- 
ered with walrus and seal skins, forming the roof. Some roofs are in the shape of a 
cone and others of a dome. The interior is partitioned off around the sides with 
deerskin curtains, forming sleejiing apartments. All around, inside and outside, 
arc tilth, dirt, sleds, spears, snowshoes, and household utensils. The houses and 
tents are locatedwith no reference to order or street lines. The sleds are shodAvith 
Lone. Of a few small ones the whole runner was made of a walrus tusk. 

If the building is a very largo one there is a row of suiiporting poles on each side, 
miduay between t];e center and sides. Over the rafter poles are stretched walrus 
hides. These are held in position by rawhide ropes, attached to which and hanging 
down the sides of the building are the vertebrjc of Avhales, largo stones, and old 
iron from shipwrecked vessels. This anchorage both stretches the skins and pre- 
vents them from being blown off. Those skins, being translucent, let in a great deal 
of light. There are no windows in the house, and but a small oi)ening, about 2.V feet 
above the ground, for a door. Fire, when they have any, is made on the dirt floor in 
the center of the room. Each building is occupied by scA'eral families. Near the 
house is a scalteld made of i)osts of the J av. bones of the Avhale. These are 7 to 10 
feet high and 10 feet wide. On these are placed the skiu boats, harness of the 
dogs, meat, etc., so as to bo out of the reach of dogs. Upon one of these, attached 
to the whalebone cross-beam, was a child's swing, made of Avalrus ropo. 

I saw several excavations Avliere underground houses had once been, and one such 
house still standing with the roof partially fallen in. The sides were comi)08ed of 
walrus skulls laid up like a stone wall. In this house were some corrises, together 
with spear, arrowheads, and personal belongings of the dead. 

Passing from house to liouse, I was followed by a crowd of dirty but bright-looking 
children. From tha eldest to the child which Avas just able to talk they asked for 



1736 EDUCATION KEPORT, 1892-93. 

tobacco, wbicli is used by both sexes and all ages down to tlio nursing child. Five 
little girls, from 4 to 10 years of age, gave a native dance. They commenced with a 
swinging motion of the body from side to side, throwing their weight alternately 
ui:)on each foot. This was accompanied by an explosive grunt or squeak, as if the air 
was being violently expelled from the lungs. As they warmed up tliey whirled 
around, -writhed and twisted their bodies, and distorted their faces into all manner 
of shapes and expressions, until they would fall down with dizziness. 

In 1891 I erected a good schoolhouse and teacher's residence at the village, but up 
to the winter of 1893-94 no suitable teacher and his wile have been found for the 
place. This building, through the liberality of two ladies, is the property of the 
Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, and there is a fair jirospect that a teacher 
will be sent this season. 

In 1878 the island was the scene of a great tragedy. Starvation and pestilence 
carried away over 400 of the people. When the revenue cutter visited the island in 
1880, in four villages not a man, woman, or child was left to tell the tale ; the corpses of 
the population alone were found. All the villages on the island, with the single 
exception of Chib-n Chak, had been swept out of existence. 

In 1884 Captain Healy reports, "At the villages along the north shore no sign of 
living beings could be found, but the still decaying bodies of tue unfortunate Eskimo 
v.ere lying in and about the falling houses." 

From Bering Strait around the shores of Xorton Sound are a number of villages, 
aggregating a population of 633. 

On the northern side of Norton Sound is Golovin Bay. At the Golovin village the 
Swedish Evangelical Mission Union erected a building and established a mission in 
the summer of 1893. Eighty-five miles east of Golovin Bay, on the east coast of 
Norton Sound, is the village of Unalaklik. A mission station was estahlislied at 
Unalaklik in 188G by the Swedish Evangelical Mission Union, with Kov. Axel E. 
Karlson in charge. 

In 1893 he was assisted by the Rev. August Anderson, the Rev. David .Johnson, 
N. U. Hultburg, Miss Malvena Johnson, and Miss Hannah Swensou. During the 
past winter a number of Eskimo were baptized and admitted into the church. They 
have a homo school with 47 pupils. 

Some of the pupils came from distant villages, one family coming 300 miles across 
country from the Arctic region. During the long winter -evenings tlie children are 
taught various kinds of industrial work, and a number of the boys as well as the 
girls take lessons in sewing. Invitations have been received by the teachers for the 
establishment of branch schools in distant villages. 

Forty iniles south of Unalaklik is St. Michael, a trading post orignally founded 
by the Russians in 1835. The place consists of a few log houses, inclosed by a 
stockade, the property of the Alaska Commercial Company, and a chapel of the Russo- 
Greek Church, with an occasional service by a priest from Ikogmute. This is the 
point where the ocean-going steamers transfer freight with the small steamers that 
ply on the Yukon River. To this point the furs collected at the trading jiosts of the 
interior, some of them 2,000 miles distant, are brought for reshipmeut to San Francisco. 
This is also the dividing line between the lunnit of the Arctic and the Pacific. Half 
a mile from the trading post is a native village of 30 houses and one dance house or 
town hall. 

On July, 188G, an agreement was entered into between the Commissioner of Educa- 
tion aud'the Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church for the estab- 
lishment of a school in the great Yukon Valley. Owing to the impossibility of 
getting the supplies into that inaccessible region, the school was maintained for 
1886-87 at St. Michael, on the coast, by the Rev. and Mrs. Octavius Parker. In the 
summer of 1887 the Rev. John H. Chapman was added to the mission, and the station 
was removed to Anvik. 

In the summer of 1889 the Rev. Mr. Parker retired from the mission on account of 
the health of his family. In 1890 Mr. Marcus O. Cherry was commissioned to Anvik, 
remaining two years. 

In the summer of 1891 the Rev. Jules L. Prevost was sent out to take charge of 
St. James Mission, near the junction of the Yukon and Tanana rivers, which had 
been previously established by the Rev. and Mrs. T. H. Canham, of the Church of 
England. 

Around the head waters of the YuTcon River the Church Missionary Society of 
London has established three missions on the borders of Alaska, one at Rampart 
House, on the Porcupine River; another at Buxton, near the mouth of "Forty Mile 
Creek," and the third at Harper's Trading Station. The latter is occupied by Rev. 
and Mrs. T. H. Canham. Mrs. Canham Avas the first white woman to cross the Rocky 
Mountains on snowshoes north of the Arctic circle in midwinter. 

Buxton is the headquarters of Bishop Bompas, the mission school being taught by 
Miss Susan Mellett. 

Rampart House was the field of the Rev. G. C. Wallis, who in 1893 returned to 
England on account of his wife's health. 








Moravian Mission, Carmel, Alaska. 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1737 

In lf^86-87 the Roman Catliolics entered tlio Yukon Valley and established missions 
and schools at Nnlato, KosoriH'sky, and Ca])o A'anconver. 

At Kosoiitlsky they have 7:5]) ii]»ils in th(! homo school. Their missions are in charge 
of four or live priests and nin«^ sisters of the order of St. Ann. 

In 1892 they ojiencd a mission in tho valley of tlui Knskokwim, 

South of tho Yukon h'iver and ranuin<!,- paralli 1 with it are tho valleys of tho 
KuskokAvim and Nushegak rivers, occupied l)y tho Moravian missionaries. 

In the sprint? of 18S.j the Rev. and Mrs. W. II. Weinland and the Rev. and Mrs. .T. H. 
Kilbuck and Mr. Hans Torgerson were sent to the Kuskokvi'im River as the first mis- 
sionaries to the P'skimo of Alaska. 

That fall Mr, Torgerson, the carpenter, was accidentally drowned, and Messrs. 
"Weinland and Kilbuck were left alone to erect the mission buildings as best they 
could before tJio Arctic winter set in. 

In tho winter of 188(5-87 Mr. Weinland's health so far failed that he with his fajiiily 
left the station and in the summer of 1887 returned to California, where he has been 
doing valuable service among the Mission Indians. 

I luring tho winter of 1887-88 tho Rev. and Mrs. Kilbuck alone bravely held the 
fort. In spite of tho ."0"-^ below zero and i)erils of storm and hostile shamans, Mr. 
Kilbuck Avould walk 25 miles on snowshoes to preach at a neighboring village. It 
■was a long, dark winter, but the dawn was at hand. On Good Friday preaching on 
the crucitixion and explaining that Christ died on the cross to take away the guilt 
of sin, some of the older men exclaimed : "Kou-ja-nah ! [thanks]. We, too, desire to 
have our badness taken away by that blood." 

Mrs. Kilbuck's health becoming impaired under the great hardships which she 
was heroically eiiduring, in the summer of 1889 Mrs. Bachman, wife of Bishop Henry 
T. Bachman, volunteered to give a year at Bethel. She was accompanied by Miss 
Carrie Detterer, who Avent out as a permanent laborer. In 1890 the mission force 
was again increased by tho arrival of Miss Lydia Lebeus, and in 1892 by Miss Mary 
Mack, and in 1893 by Mr. and Mrs. B. Helmich and Miss P. C. King. 

In 1893, in addition lo the six American missionaries, there were two native helpers 
and 2(5 native connnunicants. 

At tho native villages of Kikichtagamute and Akaigamute, the Christians, owing 
to tho persecutions of the shamans, are preparing to leave their homes and establish 
a Christian village. 

At Ongavigamute, the uppermost station on the Kuskokwim River, a log mi.ssion 
house, 18 by 20 feet, has been erected. This station is being cared for by the Rev. 
and Mrs. Weber. Another station has been established at Quiuehaha, at the mouth 
of tho Kuskokwim. 

In the summer of 1886 tho Moravians located and erected a mission station at the 
mouth of the Kushagak River. The mission was formally opened in the summer of 
1887 with the arrival of tho Rev. and Mrs. Wolff and Miss Mary ITuber. 

In 1889 the new station at Carmel was strengthened by the arrival of the Rev. John 
Herman Scho-chert, and in 1890 by Miss Emma Huber. 

At Carmel is an industrial home, with 18 pupils, and a church with 17 communi- 
cants. 

In 1893 a sawmill was erected near Bethel. 

A short portage across the Alaska Peninsula brings us to the settlements of the 
civilized Innuit and Creoles. 

In 1784 Gregory Shelikoff formed a settlement on Kadiak Island and commenced 
the subjugation and civilization of the peojile. Soon after he organized a school, 
Vhich was the first in Alaska. The first church building in Alaska was also erected 
on this island. For a long time it was tho Russian capital, the chief seat of their 
power and operations. A tombstone in the Russian cemetery bears date of 1791. The 
present village of Kadiak (St. Paul) numbers 323 people. They have a iaw cattle, 
and cultivate small gardens. They have a large church and a resident priest; also 
etores of the Alaska Commercial Company, a deputy collector of customs, and a 
register of the tides. Kadiak is the headf|uarters of the Alaska Commercial Com- 
pany for the district comprising Cooks Inlet and Prince Williams Sound. 

The Russian school has been extinct for more than a (juarter of a century, and for 
"ears the people have been anxiously looking for another. 

It was therefore with peculiar pleasure that on the 22d of September, 1886, an 
experienced teacher was lauded with the necessary school books, etc. 

Prof. W. E Roscoe, with his wife and baby, received a warm welcome from the 
people. Ho was not in tho village twelve hours before a delegation of the citizens 
waited upon him to know if a night school could not 1)0 established for the married 
people to learn English. A trader 100 miles away, reading in a San Francisco paper 
that the Government would open a school at Kadiak, sent his wife and two half- 
grown daughters to attend the school. In their eagerness not to lose a day, they 
reached Kadiak six months in advance of the teacher. 

Opposite Kadiak is Wood Island, with 125 })eople, of whom .50 are children. In 
1893 a large, substantial building was erected on Wood Island by the American Bap- 



1738 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 

tist's Woman's Homo Mission Society, as a mission for orphans, waifs, and other 
cliildren of that region. 

Professor Roscoo, of Kadiak, writes, imder date of September 29, 1890: " In every 
settlement througli this jiart of the eonntry may be found poor, defenseless children, 
clothed only in rags, witli.no one to provide suitable food or clothing, and living 
entirely ou snch charity as may be found among a licathcn people. There are many 
destitute children, matlo so by the drunkenness and the vagabond character of their 
parents. In addition to a kind of beer whicli the natives tliemselvea iiiako from 
sngar and graham flour, they succeed in buying large quantities of whisky from 
sailors and the more reckless class of traders. The salmon canneries are, generally 
speaking, a curse to the natives. The Chinese employees bring, or rather smuggle, 
immense quantities of 'samsbu' into the country, and peddle it out to the natives. 
In the Aleut settlement of Afoguak, the natives have Sold the Ijcdding from their 
huts to obtain the vile stuff. The winter is upon them, and until recently they have 
been so demoralized with liquor that they had not laid in tho usual winter's sui)ply 
of dried lish, their main subsistence. Without money and provisions and clothing, 
Avhat misery aud want will there be in that village this winter, all because of iutoxi 
eating liquors. 

•'White hunters, recently arrived from the westward, tell me it is tho same out 
there. Tho natives are demoralized by drink. Now, tho future of this race is that, 
practically, they will perish from off the face of the globe unless they aro Christian- 
ized, and that soon. It is a fact that the children do not generally show this terrible 
craving for strong drink. The pupils of my school are ashamed of their parents' 
drinking, and we never see them drink any. It seems, therefore, to be rather an 
acquired habit than an inherited appetite. It is only right aud just that our Gov- 
ernment take orphan children and inebriates' chiklren and i)ut them in a good indus- 
trial school under religious teachers, who, in addition to moral and intellectual 
training, will teach them tho cultivation of soil, tho rearing of cattle, sheep, hogs, 
and poultry, the elements of some of the mcclianical arts; and the girls the art of 
sewing and cooking." 

Just north of AVood Island is Spruce Island, where a Russian monk kept a small 
school for thirty consecutive years, giving instruction in the rndimental arts and 
agricultural industries. The monk is dead and the school discontinued. 

Near by are the two villages of Afognak, with a population of 321, of whom 146 
are children. These cultivate 100 acres in x'otatoes and turnips. They have a largo 
Greek church. 

September 25, 1886, I landed school desks and supplies for a school through the 
breakers. 

lu 1890 a comfortable school building and teacher's residence were erected by the 
Government. In 1891 the teacher reported that while the people were quiet and 
inofiensive, yet a hundred years of misrule has broken their spirit and left them 
without hope or courage to better their condition ; intemperance is very rife among 
them, and many of the pupils of the school, during tho winter, were on the verge of 
starvation because their parents had wasted nearly all their living on intoxicating 
liquors. On Aisiting his pupils at their homes, he often found both parents dead 
drunk and the hungry children shivering with cold. Until some efficient means can 
be employed to prevent the introduction of liquors among them, the scbot I work 
will be carried ou under very great disadvantages. 

At Karluk a comfortable teacher's residence and school building have been erected. 
The chief industry is canning salmon, which gives employment to children as well 
as adults, so that during tho run of the salmon in summer school is suspended. It 
is an important center for a school, and it is hoped, that much can bo accomplished 
in the future. 

ALEUTS AND CREOLES. 

From the lunuit wc pass to the consideration of the Aleuts. Tho origin of the 
wor<l ''Aleut'' is not kno^vn. They designate themselves by the term " Unnngun," 
the native word for " our people." 

They occupy the Aleutian chain of islands and portions of the Alaska Peninsula^ 
from the Shumagin Islands, 1,650 miles Avestward to Attu. 

The average height of the mettis about 5 feet 6 inches. They have coarse black 
hair, small eyes, high cheek bones, flat noses, thick lips, large mouths, broad faces, 
and light yellowish-brov>-n complexions, with a strong resemblance to tho Japanese. 

The marriage relation is respected, and as a rule each family has its own house, 
with two to three rooms. They use in their houses a small cast-iron cook stove or 
neat wrought-iron cooking range, granite- ware kettles, white crockery-ware dishes, 
pewter or silver-plated ware, and feather beds covered with colored spreads. Their 
walls arc adorned with colored pictures, and their houses lighted with kerosene in 
glass lamps. Many homes jiossess an accordion, a hand organ, or music box, some 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1739 

of the latter costing as liich as $200. Tliey dress in Aracri<\Tn garmeuts, aud their 
■women study vrith great interest the fashion phites and some try to imitate the latest 
styles. 

The village of Unalaska has a population of GO white men and 5 white women and 
251 Aleuts and Creoles, of whom V32 are children. They have a church, jjriest's res- 
idence, the stores, residences, warehouses, and wharves of the Alaska Commercial 
Company, 18 frame residences, and 50 barraharas. It is the most important settle- 
ment in western Alaska and the commercial center of all trade now in that region 
or that shall develop in the future. It is the natural outfitting station for vessels 
passing between the Pacific aud Arctic oceans. In the mountains back of the vil- 
lage is a volcano in eruption. 

In .'September, 1889, Mr. John A. Tuck reached the village and opened a day school. 
The follov.ing season a few girls were taken into his family and a mission home 
opened under'tho auspices of the Methodist Woman's Homo Mission Societj'. Tho 
Homo family has increased until, in 1893, 2G girls enjoyed its advantages. 

Two hundred and twenty-two miles north of Unalaska are the celebrated Pribihjf, 
or, as they ai"o more popularly called, Sea Islands, 

Tlie village of St. Paul, on an island of the same name, is laid out in regular strer-ts 
like an American village, and has 64 houses and a priest's residence. The jiopula- 
tion is 18 white men, 4 white women, aud 222 Aleuts. 

Twenty-seven miles to tho southeast is tlio companion island of St. George, with 8 
white men and 85 Aleuts. They have a church and school. These islands areleascd 
by the United States Government to the North American Commercial Company. 

The revenue of these islands since 1870 has returned to tho Government the entire 
Bnm paid to Knssia for the whole country. 

From these two islands come nearlj'' all the seal skins of commerce. There is a 
small school on each island supported at the expense of the company, with 98 per 
cent of the children in attendance. 

In the immediate vicinity of the T^nalaska, on tho island of Spirkin, is Borka. 
This village is noted for its cleanliness. With their white-scrubbed and neatly 
sanded iloors, their clear, clean windows, neat bedding, tidy rooms, and abundance 
of wild-llower bouquets on tables and window sills, they may jiroperly be called the 
Hollanders of Alaska. 

To tho eastward, near the southern end of the Alaska Peninsula, is Belkoffski, with 
a ];opulation of 185. In addition to tho buildings of the great trading lirms, the 
village has 30 frame houses and 27 barrabaras. 

In IHSO they raised among themselves $7,000 for the erection of a church. One- 
half of them can read and v.rite in the Aleutian language, and they support a small 
school. West of the village is the magnificent volcano Shilhaldin in active erup- 
tion, and to tho north Pavloff volcano is throwing out smoke like tho smokestack of 
an ocean steamer. 

At Unga, with its 74 children, I established a school October 20, 1886, Prof. John 
II. Carr (the teacher) and his wifo belonging to the Methodist Church. . 

The Methodist Woman's Homo Mission Society have erected a teacher's residence 
and named it "The Martha Ellen Stevens' Cottage," in memory of Mrs. Carr, who 
died there. 

For tho southern coast of Alaska between Sitka and T^nalaska there is a raontlily 
mail during the seven summer months of the year. To tho north of the Aleutian 
Islands there is only one mail a year. 

In the Aleutian district are 1.890 Aleuts and 479 Creoles. 



"Tinneh" is the native word for "people." The Tinneh of Alaska are tall, well 
formcil, strong, and courageous, with great powers of endurance. Thoy are great 
hunters aud lishers. Polygamy prevails among them, the men frequently having 
moie than one but seldom more than three wives. Wives are taken and discarded 
at pleasure. Among some of them female infanticide is occasionally practiced. The 
bodies of the dead aro buried in boxes above ground. Shamanism and witchcraft, 
with all their attendant barbarities, prevail. They also believe in a multitude of 
spirits, good and bad. 

On the lower course of tho Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers, and in the great range 
of country north and south bordering on tiie Innuit of the coast, aro tho western 
Tinneh, the Ingalik of tho Russians, numbering in three bands about 1,800. 

From the junction of the Yukon and Tanana rivers, westward to the British line, 
from tho Innuit on the Arctic shore almost to the Lynn Canal on the south, is the 
home of the Kutchin families. They number, with the Ah-tena, on Copper River, 
about 3,300. Some of these people have been taught to read by the missionaries of 
the Church Missionary Society of England. 



1740 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 

For years the Church Missionary Society of EDgland has had stations at Fort 
McPherson and La Pierre House, bordering on northeastern Alaslca, and their 
missionaries have made occasional trips on the Upper Yulion and its tributaries. 

THLINGET. 

The Thlinget, composed of 10 clans, occupy the islands of the Alexander Archi- 
pelago and coasts adjacent. They number 5,834. 

Immediately associated with these are 788 Hydah, occupying the southern end of 
Prince of Wales Island. 

The Thlinget are a hardy, self-reliant, industrious, self-supporting, well-to-do, 
warlilvo, superstitious race, whose very name is a terror to the civilized Aleuts to 
the west as well as the savage Tinnah to the north of them. 

At the base of Mount St. Elias is Yakutat. This is a station of the Swedish Evan- 
gelical Union, with Rev. and Mrs. Albiu Johnson, Rev. K. J, Heudricksou, and Miss 
Selma Peterson, teachers. Mrs. Johnson (Agnes Wallin) was from .Jankaping, 
Sweden, and made a journey of 9,000 miles to join Rev. Mr. Johnson, to whom she 
was married upon her arrival at the mission, on the 18th of May, 1891. A large, sub- 
stantial boarding house, 35 by 14 feet in size, aud two and a half stories high, 
erected in 1891, was burned in the winter of 1892-93. A new building was at once 
commenced. 

CHILKAT. 

Occupying the extreme northern section of Lynn Canal and the valleys of the 
Chilkat and Chilkoot rivers is the Chilkat tribe, numbering 988. They arc great 
traders, being the "middle men" of their region, carrying the goods of commerce to 
the interior and exchanging them for furs, which are brought to the coast, aud in 
turn exchanged for more merchandise. Their country is on the highway of the gold 
seekers to the interior. 

In the summer of 1880, a trading post having been establislied among them, I 
arranged for a school to be taught by the wife of the trader, Mrs. Sarah Dickinson, 
native. 

The mission proper, however, commenced July 18, 1881, with the arrival of Rev. 
Eugene S. Willard and family. 

In 1882 Miss Bessie M. Mathews, of Monmouth, 111., was sent out to take charge 
of a boardiug department, which was opened iu 1883. The station is called Haines. 
Thirty miles up the Chilkat River, for a time, a school was taught by Louis and Tillie 
Paul, both natives. 

During 1885-86 Mr. Willard and family returned East to regain their health, injured 
by ex]io8ure and hardships, and the mission was closed. It was reopened again 
in 1887 by Mr. and Mrs. F. F. White, who remained two years. In 1891 Rev. W. W. 
Waruc and wife were sent to Haines and the Avork resumed. In 1893 the converts 
asked to be organized into a church. 

HOOXAH. 

One hundred miles southwest are the Hoonahs, occupyiug both sides of Cross Sound, 
and numbering 908. In 1881 I erected a schoolhonse and teachers' residence at their 
principal village, on Chichagoff Island, aud placed Mr. and Mrs. Walter B. Styles, 
of New York City, in charge. In 1884 Rev. and Mrs. .John W. McFarland were sent 
from Wrangoll to Hoonah, and are now in charge of the school. 

One of the peculiarities and discouragements of this and several other stations in 
Alaska is that in summer the people all leave their houses in search of work and pro- 
visions. Dr. aud Mrs. McFarland partially overcame this difficulty by taking a canoe 
and following their people, to their hunting and fivshing camp. 

There as elsewhere faithful work bears fruit, and in 1893 Mr. McFarland reported 
a church of 161 native communicants redeemed from heathenism. 



A few miles to the eastward, ou Admiralty Island, are the Aukes, numbering 640. 
In that region valuable gold mines have been opened and an American mining vil- 
lage established in Juneau. A summer school was taught by Mrs. W. H. R. Corlies 
during 1882 and 1883. 

In the spring of 1886 the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church 
commissioned Rev. Joseph P. White missionary to the whites at Juneau, and Rev. 
E. S. Willard to the natives. 

During that season Mr. Willard took down the mission premises at Tsfek-nftk- 
Siiuk'-y, removed tliem to Juneau, and from the materials erected a neat church for 
the natives. 

A small house (which has since been replaced by a commodious building) was 
erected adjacent to the church for a mission home for native children. Assisted by 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1741 

Mrs. Willard, Mrs. Elizabeth Matthews, and Miss Margaret Dunbar, Mr. Willard has 
Ibuilt up a church of 52 native coniraunicants (1893) and a flourishing mission home, 
from ■which a number have been scut to the training scliool at Sitka. 



A few miles to the soiitli, on tlie mainland, is the Taku tril)e, numbering 269. A 
sunmier school was held among them in 1880 by Kev. and Mrs. W. II. K. (Joi'lies, of 
Philadelphia. In 1882, ])ressed by the importunities of tbe leading men of the tribe, 
ho took up hie abode among them, and erected school and residence buildings at 
Tsck-nuk-Siiuk'-y. 

In 1881: circumstances required their return to Philadelphia, the people in the 
meantime having removed to Juueau. In 1886 the mission buildings were taken 
there by Mr. Willard. 

HOOCHINOO. 

On the southwestern side of Admiralty Island are the Hoochinoo, numbering G66. 
The main village is at Killisnoo, where the Northwest Trading C'oni])any has estab- 
lished a large hsh-oil manufactory. In the neighborhood are extensive coal fields 
and valnable gold mines. I established a pnblic school in this place in January, 1886. 

In 1892 Iv'ev. L. F. Jones and wife were placed in charge of the school, and iu 1894 
there was a call for a church organization. 



To the south, on Kuiu and Kupreanoff Islands, are the Kake, numbering 568. In 
the winter of 1892-93 a school was opened for the Kakes, with Charles H. Edwards 
in charge. A few months afterwards, Mr. Edwards being shot by whisky smugglers, 
the school was closed and has not yet been resumed. 



Eastward, around the mouth and lower course of the Stikine River, are the 
Stikine. They number 317. Their principal village is at Fort Wrangell, on an 
island of the same name. 

In the fall of 18771 opened for the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions a mission 
school, with Mrs. A. R. McFarland in charge. In 1878 Rev. S. Hale Young, of West 
Virginia, was sent out. The same season a boarding department for girls was estab- 
lished by Mrs. A. R. McFarland. In 1879 Miss Maggie A. Dunbar, of Steubenville, 
Ohio, was added to the teaching force. The same year the erection of a suitable 
building was commenced, which was tinished and occupied the following year; also 
the same year Rev. W. H. R. C'orlies and family arrived from Philadelphia. Mrs. 
Corlies opened a school on the beach for visiting natives, and her husband a night 
school for adults. He also served as missionary physician to the place until his 
removal to the Taku. 

In 1882 Rev. John W. McFarland and Miss Kate A. Rankin were added to the mis- 
sionary force. In the fall of 1884 the Girls' Home was removed to Sitka, together 
with Mrs, A. R. McFarland and Miss Rankin. Mr. J. W. McFarland and his wife 
(n^e Dunbar) were given charge of the mission at Hoonah. 

In 1888 the Rev. S. Hale Young was succeeded by Rev. Allan McKay, and in 1892 
he in turn was followed by Rev. Clarence Thwing. Under the labors of Rev. and 
Mrs. Thwing the old church is regaining its former prosperity. 

METLAKAHTLA. 

In the spring of 1887 the Tesirapeans, who Lad been civilij^ed and Christianized by 
Mr. AVilliam Duncan at Metlakahtla, British Columbui, becoming alarmed at the 
encroachments of the Colonial Government and the arbitrary measures of the Church 
of England, gave up their comfortable homes, abandoned their improvements and 
property that they could not carry with them, and empty-handed went out into the 
unbroken wilderness for conscience sake. Crossing theiutoruatioual boundary line 
into Alaska, they settled upon Annette Island, 60 miles north of their former home. 

On the 7th of August Mr. William Duncan arrived, and amid general rejoicing and 
the tiring of gnns the " Sttn-s and Stripes" were floated over this people, that thus 
publicly transferred their allegiance from Canada to the United States. 

During the first season the heavy forest was felled and over a hundred log houses 
were erected for a temporary shelter of tbe inhabitants. 

Through the pecuniary assistance of friends in New Y'ork, Boston, Portland, and 
elsewhere, a sawmill, salmon cannery, and other industries have been established, 
a church, schoolhouses, and other ])ublic buildings erected, and the old log dwell- 
ings are rapidly being replaced by comfortable painted frame dwellings. 

The census of 1890 gives this model village a population of 828. 



1742 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 



Two hundred miles south of Fort Wrangell are the Tougass, numbering 273. Some 
of these cross over to British Columbia, and find, school privileges at Port Simpson, 
n station of the Wesleyan Metliodist Church of Canada. In 1884 a school was cstab- 
Jislied among them, with Louis and Tillio Paul as teachers. 

In December, 1886, Prof. S. A. .Saxnian Avas placed in cliarge of the public school. 
Mi". Saxman and Mr. Paul being drowned a few months after, the school and mission 
were discontinued. 

HYDAir. 

V/est of the Tongass, on the southern half of the Prince of AY ales Island, are the 
Ilydah, numbering 788. They are a large, well-lormed, and handsome race, with 
light complexion, and have long been noted lor their bravery and ferocity in war. 
Terrorizing all the neighboring tribes, they were hnowu as the "Bulldogs" of the 
North. Pacitic. Years ago they did not hesitate to attack and phmder English and 
American A-essels. In 18.j4 they held the captain and crew of an American vessel in 
caiitivity until ransomed by the Hudson Bay Fur Company. Their villages are 
remarhablo for the number of totem sticks. These are carved logs from 1 to 2 feet 
in diameter and from 20 to 60 feet high. . >Some of them contain hollow cavities, in 
which are placed the ashes of cremated dead chiefs; others are heraldic, and repre- 
sent the family totem or orders. In some cases a large oval opening through one of 
these sticks forms tlio entrance to the house; in others the pole is at ono side of the 
entrance. The house is a large, low, plank building, from 40 to 50 feet square, with 
a. fireplace in the center of the floor, and a large opening in the roof for the escape 
of the smoke. Homo ha\'e inserted windows and doors in their buildings, and pro- 
cured bedsteads, tables, stoves, dishes, and other appliances of civilized life. 

Their food consists largely of lish, dried or fresh, according to the season. Wild 
berries and deer are plentiful. The berries are preserved in lish oil for winter use. 
Their coast also abounds with good clams. They raise large quantities of potatoes. 

The Hydali are noted for their skill in carving wood, bone, gold, silver, and stone. 
The finest of the great cedar canoes of the Northwest Coast are manufactured by them. 
They practice polygamy and hold slaves. The husband buys his wife, frequently 
while a mere girl, from her jiarents. If she does not suit, she can be returned and the 
price refunded. They are inveterate gamblers. 

On the 22d of August, 1881, a mission was established among them, in connection 
with the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, at the village of Howkan, with Mr. 
James E. Chapman in charge as a, teacher. The station was called Jackson by the 
missionaries. In the spring of 1882 Rev. J. Loomis Gould and family, of West Vir- 
ginia, were sent to the Hydah. Tlie same year some ladies in Brooklyn, N. Y., ]>ro- 
vided .1 sawmill for the station; and iu the fall of that year Miss Clara A. Gould 
was added to the teaching force. 

In .September, 188.5, the mission day school was changed into a public school, Miss 
Gould continuing the teacher. In 1886 Mrs. A. R. IMcFarland removed from Sitka 
and established a home for girls, with Miss C. Baker as assistant. Mr. Gould has 
gathered around him a native church of 54 commuuicants. 

IIAXEGAH. 

In the northern portion of Prince of Wales Island are the Ilanegah, nunTbering 
587. Their winter village is Tuxikan. In summer they congregate at the salmon 
cannery and sawmill at Klawack. 

In November, 1889, I left at Tuxikan Rev. L. W. Currie, of Texas, to establish a 
public school. Mr. Currie was a minister of the Southern Presbyterian Church, 
with a large experience among the Indians of the Indian Territory and of Texas. 
As no white man had ever lived in their village, there was no comfortable house to 
be had, and the mission family were compelled to go into a native house. 

It was a large building, 80 by 37 I'eet in size, Avith j)lank sides and a rotten bark 
roof. On thoinside of the building a raised jdatform about 8 feet Avido extended 
around the four sides of the rcom. Inclosed by this plat ibrm and 3 feet below it 
was the main floor, forming a pit 21 by 22 feet in size. In the center of the i^it a 
space 8 feet square Avas left uufioored and coA-cred with gravel. This was the fire- 
place. The smoke, circling around the room, passed out of a hole 6 feet square, which 
was left iu the roof for that purpose. The hole that permitted the escape of the 
smoke allowed the free descent of the rain. Tlie soutli side of the house extended 
on piles oA'er the tide. Into this building, which an eastern farmer would, consider 
unfit for his cattle, a choice Christian family moved Avithout a murmur. A partition 
of sheeting Avas erected along the edge of the platform, forming a partition between 
them and "the j)it. The pit Avas set apart for the school and church rooms, and the 
platforms on tAvo sides divided i uto rooms for the teacher's family. On the other two 
platforms lived the native v/ho owned the house. He had a family of six. 



I 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1743 

In 1887 Mr. Currio removed to Klawack, and erected a school and residence build- 
ins'. Dyiiif!; iu 1887, his Avile returned to Texas. 

For a couple of years tlio mission was continued by Mr. H. C. "Wilson, a layman, 
but in 1893 is unsupplied. 

SITKAS. 

To the north, on the -\vestern coast of Baranof, are the Sitkas, uuniberiu.i!: 721. 
Their chief Yillaj>e is at Sitka, tlie old capital of the Russian ])ossessi()ns in America. 
It was their political, commercial, religious, and educational center. As early as 
1805 a school -was oi)cued at Sitka. It held a very precarious existence, however, 
until 1820, -when it came iinder the charge of a naval ofliccr, wlio kept a good school 
for thirteen years. In 1833 this school came under the direction of Etolin, who still 
further increased its efiticioucy. Etolin was a Creole, who by force of ability and 
merit raised himself to the highest position in the country, that of chief director 
of the fur company and governor of the colony. He was a Lutheran, the pati'on of 
schools and churches. AVhilo governor, he erected a Protestant church at Sitka, and 
presented it with a sm.all pipe organ, Avhicli is still in use. 

In 1840, besides the colonial school at Sitka, was one for orphan boys and sous of 
•workmen and subaltern employees of the fur comjiauy, in which were taught read- 
ing, writing, arithmetic, grammar, mechanical trades, and religion. 

In 1839 a girls' school of a similar character was established, and the number of 
"boarders limited to forty. 

lu 1841 a theological school was established at Sitka, which in 1849 was advanced 
to the grade of a seminary. 

This made live schools at Sitka — two for the children of the lower class, two for 
the higher class, and one seminary. 

About the time of the transfer of the country the teachers were recalled to Russia 
and the schools suspended. 

But with the change of government came a new people. The majority of the 
Russians left the country, and their places were taken by Americans. Many came in 
from California, and on the 8th of November, 18G7, less than a month from the time 
that the country' passed under the United States Hag, the citizens called a meeting 
and formed a temporary local government, and on the 18th of December, 1867, a peti- 
tion formed by forty-nine persons, two of whom "made their mark," Avas presented to 
the common council, asking that a citizens' meeting might bo called to empower the 
council to establish <a school. On the 20th of March, 1868, the council adopted some 
school regulations and appointed three trustees, who exercised a joint coi>trol with 
a committee of ofticers from the military post at Sitka. During the winter of 1868-09 
a school building Avas i^urchased. The annual reports of the trustees have disap- 
peared, and there is nothing to show the time Avheu teaching commenced. In Octo- 
ber, 1869, the council Aotcd that tho salary of the teacher should be $75 per month 
in coin, and on ]\Iarch 1, 1871, it was ordered to bo $25 per month, Avhich evidently 
means tliat at the latter ]icriod tho post commander Avithdrew the $50 per month 
which had been paid from tho army funds. On the 12th of August, 1871, permission 
AA'as given the bishop of the Greek Church to teach the Russian language one hour 
each day in tho public school. During 1873 the school seems to haA-o'diod out. 

In 1879 and 1880 an attempt was made to establish a school for Russian children, 
which was taught by Mr. Alonzo E. Austin and Miss Etta Austin. 

In the Avintei- of 1877 and 1878 Rev.' John G. Brady Avas appointed to Sitka, and in 
April, 1878, a school Avas opened by Mr. Brady and Miss Fanny E. Kellogg. lu 
December, through a combination of circumstances, it was discontinued. In the 
spring of 1880 Miss Olinda Austin Avas sent out from New York City and commenced 
school April 5 in one of the guardhouses with 103 children present. This number 
increased to 1.30. Then some of tho i>arents applied for admission, but could not be 
received, as tho room would not acconnuodate any more. 

In NoA'cmber some of the boys .-spplied to tho teacher for permission to live in the 
schoolhouse. At home, they alleged, there was so much drinking, talking, and 
car.ousing that they could not study. Tho teacher replied that she had no accommo- 
dations, bedding, or food for them. But they were so much in earnest that they said 
they would proAddo for tliemselves. Upon receiving permission, s(!vcu native boys, 
13 and 14 years of age, bringing a blanket each, \-oluutarily left their homes and 
took up their abode in a A-acant room of one of the GoA^crnment buildings. Thus 
commenced the boarding department of the Sitka school. Soon other boys joined 
them. Ciipt. Reury Glass, who succeeded Captain Beardslee in the command of the 
U. S. S. Jamestown, from tho iirst, Avith his ofhcers, especially Lieut. F. M. Symonds, 
U. S. N., took a deep interest in tho school. As he had opportunity, he secured boys 
from distant tribes and placed them in the institution, until there Avere 27 boys in 
tho boarding department. 

In tlio Avinter of 1882 the schoolhouse was burned, and the boys took refuge in an 
abandoned Government stable, Avhich Avas fitted iip for them. In the fall of 1882, 



1744 EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93. 

after consultation with the collector of customs, the coiumanderof the ITuited States 
mau-of-war, and the leading citizens, I selected a new location for the school, out- 
side of village limits, and erected a two-and-a-half-story building, 100 by 50 feet in 
size. 

This location was* donated to the Board of Home Missions by the Rev. John G. 
Erady. 

In the spring of 1884 the faithful labors of Rev. Alonzo E. Austin and teachera 
bore fruit. The Holy Spirit was poured out and nearly all the adult pupils were 
brought to Christ. The work exteuded to the native village, and many of the par- 
ents accepted '.Tesus as a personal Savior. 

On the 12th of August, 1881, I took charge of the mission and school, and, in con- 
nection with Mr. Austin, on the Ttli of September organized a church of 44 native 
and 5 white communicants. The church attendance has since grown to over 341 
members. 

On September 14 to 16 the Presbytery of Alaska organized at Sitka and held ita 
first meeting. During the same month Mrs. A. R. McFarland and her Home for 
Girls were remQ\'cd from Fort Wrangell to Sitka, and the united schools made a 
Government contract industrial and training school. 

To meet the growth of the school a second large building, 130 by 50 feet in size 
and two and one-half stories high, was erected, and so far finished that it was occu- 
pied January 1, 1885. 

In the spring of 1885, on my being ajipointed United States general agent of edu- 
cation in Alaska, Prof. A. J. Davis, of Pennsylvania, was appointed superintendent 
of the school. Family matters requiring his return east, he was succeeded by Mr. 
William A. Kelly, of Pennsylvania. 

As the school grew, the steam laundry, boys' and girls' hospital wards, two indus- 
trial buildings, church, library, and museum, eight model cottages, and other build- 
ings were erected. 

In 1890 Professor Kelly reported concerning the 164 pupils in the school: 

" Our school is distinctively coeducatiou;il. The boys and girls recite in the same 
classes, dine together in the same dining room, and, under wholesome restraint, have 
opportunities for social intercourse. 

"A few years of sedulous training have developed in some of our oldest pupils a 
spirit of emulation, a sense of personal responsibility, self-respect, self-reliance, and 
self-helpfulness, which command respect. Most of our large boys, advanced far 
enough to read intelligently in the second reader, are learning a trade (all being in 
school half of each day and at work half a day), and the diligence Avith which they 
pursue their studies, the zest with which they enter upon industrial work day after 
day, is most praiseworthy of them and encouraging to their instructors. 

"All of the shoes for the pupils of our school are handmade in our shop, under 
the direction of a competent foreman. Considerable custom woi-k is also done. 

" Our supply of barrels and half barrels far exceeds the demand, yet we consider 
coopering an excellent trade for our young men. Owing to high freight, barrels are 
usually made at the tishing station, where needed, and coopers are in demand at 
those places. 

" We are always pressed with work in carpentry. The variety and scope of work 
have proved a most valuable source of instruction to the boys, most of whom are 
aptly adapted to mechanical industry. The boys have made commendable progress. 
Young men who can do carpenter work fairly well can find opportunity to ply their 
trade in any of the villages of Alaska. 

"We have eight model cottages, six of which are occupied by young married 
couples from the school. These young folks have been thrown entirely upon their 
own responsibility and resources, and they are doing well in earning a livelihood, 
while their houses are kejit clean, neat, and homelike. The environments of family 
life among the young folk, in contradistinction to that in vogue among the natives, 
tend to create ncAV conditions and inspire new impulses among their own i^eoxile. 

" The girls are trained in every department of household industrj', kitchen, dining 
room, teachers' room, etc. The matron and her assistants give each girl individual 
care in the details of housekeeping, thus gradually inculcating and developing a 
sense of personal responsibility. 

" Our boys do the bread baking for the school, while the girls in turn are taught 
how to bake and cook for a family. They are also trained to wait upon the table, 
and they serve the teachers and guests with grace and manners. Our young boya 
are also trained in our school, kitchen, and dining room. 

" Our pupils, from the children to the adults, sing with a spirit and understanding 
that outrivals many of the public schools. 

" Our brass band of 20 members dispenses music for the school and for the town 
on public occasions. 

" We have a military company of 35 members. The guns were kindly loaned ua 
by the governor of the Territory. 



EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1745 

"liCssons ill patriotism are coiistuutly incnlcatecl. The Alaskans are a loyai, 
patriotic; people. Kov. A. E. Austin, tbo veterau niissiouary of tiie .school, has 
cbaigo of the rcli<j;ions and devotional exercises." 

In 1891 Mr. Kelly resigning in order to secure needed rest, he was succeeded by 
Mr. Alfred Docking, und be a few months later by Rev. A. Y,. Austin, who, in bis long 
service at Sitka, has built up a native church of 341 communicants. 

The missi<m force in lSi)3 consisted of Rev. A. K. Austin, Mr. R. A. Clark, Mrs. A. 
E. Austin, IMrs. M. C. Wade, Miss A. R. Kelscy, Mrs. M. D. Clark, Miss F. II. Willard 
(native), Mrs. A. T. Simpson, Mrs. T. K. Paul (native), Mr. J. A. Shields, Mr. A. T. 
Simpson, JMr. J. E. Gamble, and Mr. W. Wells (native). 

In addition to the training school, the Greek aud Papal churches each have a 
school, and the Government two schools, at Sitka. 

I5ut of all tlie schools at Sitka, the Presbyterian Training School is the "Cir.y of 
Refuge" for those fleeing from dcatli — the " House of Hope" to those sitting in the 
habitations of cruelty — the "House of Help" to the starving, homeless, friendless 
waif — an asylum to the escaped slave — the protector of helpless girlhood. 

A few years ago a little girl was accused of witchcraft. The tribe bound her with 
a rope. A stalwart chief, holding one end of the rope, walked in advance dragging 
the child after him, while another came behind holding the other end of the rope. 
These men were the admiration of the tribe for their bravery in holiling between 
them a puny, starved girl of 10. She was rescued by Professor Austin, who was in 
charge of the school, and given a home. 

A girl of 14, wlien about to be sold into a life of sin, for the benefit of a distant 
relative, escaped from her grandmother, who was guarding her, and found a refuge 
in the school. 

vVnother, a girl of about 17, was being sold for similar purposes by her stepmother 
and aunt. The two women, quarreling over the division of the money, came to settle 
the disjmte before the clerk of the court, who took the girl from her unnatural pro- 
ti'ctors aud placed her in the school. 

Another was the slave of a prominent chief. After his death his two widows 
treated her so cruelly that she ran away, aud was found hidden under a house. She 
was taken into the school and furnished protection and a ]u)me. A man that married 
one of the widows claimed her as his property, and tried to get possession of her, 
but in vain. The school was her protector. 

Another, to prevent being married to her stepfather aud becoming a plural wife 
with her-own mother, ran away and came to the school. For a long time she did not 
dare visit her mother, aud when at length she ventured to visit home they locked 
her up in a room to keep her. After some days she again escaped and returned to the 
school for shelter. 

Another girl of 15, and her sister, 10 years of age, were picked up on the beach at 
a mining camp. They were without friends or home, almost without clothing, and 
in a starving condition. Throngli neglect and cruel treatment the younger one was 
almost blind. These orphan sisters were taken into the school, fed, clothed, and 
kindly cared for. Medical attendance was provided, and the blind one restored to 
sight. 

Among the boys, one had been sold as a slave twice before he was brought to the 
school. Another bad been shot as a slave and a bullet sent crushing through bis 
shoulder. Another had been tied up as a witch and kept four days without food, 
when he was rescued. Another, when born, was about to be killed by his parents 
to save the trouble of taking care of him. A neighboring woman took pity on the 
baby and removed him to her own house. When tlie school commenced he was placed 
in it. Many others have come under the protection of tbe school through trials and 
dangers. 

And all along the coast, if a child is to bo sold into slavery, or is in danger of 
being tortured to death as a witch, or forced into a life of siu, they know that if 
they can escape and reach the Presbyterian JNIission School at Sitka they are safe. 

Thus, at points hundreds of miles apart, a few central stations have been estab- 
lished. 

While communication is made with the outside world by means of steamer twice 
a month at some of the more important stations in southeastern Alaska, the stations 
in arctic and central Alaska are cut olf almost entirely trom the great, busy, outsule 
world. Once a year the curtain lifts, aud they receive their supplies of provisions, 
clothes, letters, pa])ers, etc., aud then it shuts down and they are closed in for 
another twelve months. 

Inasmuch as Dr. Jackson is required to make a voyage each year to northwestern 
Alaska while the reindeer exi)eriment is in progress, aud for'that reason can not 
perform his duties in southeast Alaska, I resolved to place the schools of the Sitka 
district under the immediate charge of ;'fr. William Hamilton, the assistant agent, 
who had hitherto been staiionefi continuously at tine bureau of education. lu 
November Mr. Hamilton proceeded to southeast Alaska and spent a month in that 
ED 93 110 



1746 



EDUCATION EEPORT, 1892-93. 



region, making himself fully acquainted Tvith. tlie school situation, consulting with 
Mr. W. A. Kelly, the local superintendent, and vdth the local committees, and inspect- 
ing the schools at Sitka, Juneau, Douglas, KillisnoO;, and Wraugell, the only places 
that could ho reached at that season of the year. 

Section 14 of "An act to repeal timher-cnlturo laws and for other purposes," 
approved March 3, 1891, reserves froui .sale "any lands belonging to the United 
States which shall he occupied by the United States for public purposes, or which 
shall be reserved for such purposes." 

During tlio past year a number of incorporated companies, engaged in trading, 
fishing, and Imubering in Alaska, have availed themselves of the provisions of the 
Bame act, whereby they can make application for a survey and patent to 160 acres 
of laud upon Avhich their improvements arc situated. 

As some of these applications cover the site of existing villages where the Govern- 
ment has schocd buildings, it is important that the laud necessary for these school 
buildings and playgrounds shoukl bo marked and reserved at once. Tlierefore, I 
would respectfully suggest that the Hon. James Sheakley, governor, the Hon. War- 
ren Truitt, judge of tlie United States district court, and Hon. William A. Kellj", 
United States commissioner at Wraugell, bo appointed a special commission to visit 
the more important settlements of southern Alaska, select and mark sites for public 
school buildings, and report the same to the Secretary of the Interior, that they may 
be reserved for such purposes by executive order. 

I can not urge too strongly tbo need of an increased appropriation for education 
in Alaska. For three years in succession the amouiit granted by Congress for this 
purpose was $50,000. For the fiscal year 1892-93 this amount Avas reduced to $40,000. 
It was ouh^ by strict economy that the expenses of the school system had been kept 
within thelimits of the appropriation of $50,000, and the consequence of this reduc- 
tion Avas the suspension of three Government schools (I\lawack, Kako, and Karluk), 
the reduction of the salaries of some of the teachers and of the amounts paid to the 
contract or mission schools. The a])propriatJon foi»the hscal year 1893-94 is only 
$30,000. Willi this amount it will of course be impossible to reopen the suspended 
schools, and many very urgently needed repairs to the school buildings must be post- 
poned. It will also be necessary to make svrecping reductions in the amounts 
granted to the contract or mission schools, which for the past three years have been 
doing excellent work in civilizing the natives of western and arctic Alaska. 

New schools are urgently needed in at least six places (Kotzebue Sound, Nukluk- 
ayet, St. LaAvrenco Island, Kenai. Nutchek, and Tongas), having more -than 600 
children with no school privileges. 

For the present year I had submitted an estimate of $50,000. Without sufficient 
means it Avill be impossible to keep the present schools in efticient operation, much 
less to i)rouiote a gradual and healtliy growth of the educational system, so essential 
to the utilization of that vast portion of our country. 

Table 1. — Highest enrollment, 1885-1893. 



rublicscbools. 


Enrollment. 


Teaclier.s in 

tlie public schools, 

1802-93. 


1885-86. 


1886-87. 


1887-88. 


1888-80. 


1889-90. 


1890-91. 


1891-92. 


1892-93. 


Afognak 

Douglas City, 

No. ] . 
Douglas City, 

No. 2. 
Fort Wran- 

gell. 

Haine.s 

Jackson 

Juneau, No. 1 . 
Juneau, No. 2. 

Kadiak 

Karluk 

Killi.suoo 

Klawack 


(*) 
(t) 


35 

(t) 


24 
67 


55 
94 


38 
50 


37 
23 


35 
25 


40 
13 


E. S. Smith 
E. 0. Smith. 


(t) 


(n 


(t) 


(t) 


92 


68 


24 


108 


J. E. Connett. 


70 


100 


106 


90 


83 


93 


49 


49 


Miss E. Tolman. 


84 
87 
90 

(t) 

r) 

(t) 

(*) 

(*) 


43 
128 
236 

(f) 

50 
(t) 
125 

184 


144 
110 
25 
67 
81 
(t) 
44 
81 


128 
105 
36 
58 
68 

(t) 
90 
75 


(t) 
87 
31 
51 
07 

(t) 
32 
68 


(t) 
100 
33 
51 
80 
33 
68 
50 


(f) 
100 
26 
75 
69 
29 
33 
38 


54 
82 
28 
61 
74 

(t) 
137 

(t) 


W. W. Warne. 
Mrs. C. G. McLeod. 
D. Davie.s. 
Mrs. M.A.Saxiuan. 
C. C. Solte.r. 

L. F. Jones. 


Sitka, No. 1 . . . 
Sitka, No. 2... 


43 
77 

(t) 

(1) 

(t) 


60 

138 
35 

(t) 
(t 
(t) 


00 

00 

26 
(f) 
(t) 
(t) 


9k 

51 

(t) 
(t) 
(t) 

(t; 


58 

83 
24 
(t) 

(t) 
(t) 


54 

55 

(t) 
(t) 
(t) 
(1) 


59 

54 
33 
89 
60 

(t) 


50 

48 
35 


^Miss C. Patton. 
^Mrs. G. Kuapp. 

Mrs. L.Vamlerbilt. 

O. K. McKinnev. 


Chilkat 


(t) 
(t) 


Port Clarence - 


20 


M. \\. Bruce. 



Enrollment ^ot known. 



t No school. 



E]>UCATIONAL AFFAIRS IN ALASKA. 1747 

Taiu.e 2. — Jinounts contributed hi) the churches and Government to the contract schools. 



Coutract schools. 



Expenilecl by Govcrnineiit. 



1887-88. 



1888-8D. i 1889-90. 



Anvik $500 

roiiit Hope (t) 

Metliikalnla (i) 

BpIIh'1 .'iOO 

Carnicl liOO 

llooiiah I (1) 

SitlialinUistri;ilScli()i)l-| (t) 

I'oiiit Jlni'iow (f) 

Tn.ilaska (t) 

Kulato (t) 

ICosoriffsky (t) 

Cajw Vancouver (t) 

Cnjio rrinco of Wales. (t) 

riialaklik 7 ,n 

Yakulat 'S *" 



$1,000 
(i) 

2,500 

1, 000 

1,000 

(t) 

12, 500 

(t) 

(t) 

(t) 

(t) 

(t) 

(t) 

(t) 



$1, 000 
1,000 
H, 000 
1,000 
1,000 

(t) 

18,000 
1,000 
1,200 
1, 500 
1,500 
0) 
1,000 

(f) 



1800-91. 1891-92. 1892-93. 



Expended by societies, 
1891-92. * 



$1,000 
2, 000 
3,000 
1,000 
1,000 
200 

15, 000 
2,000 
2,000 

i 3, 050 

(t) 
2,000 

(t) 



$1,01)0 
2,000 
2,500 
1,000 

1,000 

2,000 

11,000 

2, 000 

2,000 

S 1,000 

I 1,000 

1,000 

2,000 

1,000 



III Ij.Episcopal. 



■ $1, 



1, 000 
1,000 
1,000 
2,000 

1,000 



Iiidci)ciident 5, 

^Moravian 0, 



. 31 

Methodist 1. 

Catholic 10 

I 

Congrcgalional- . 4 

Swedish Evan- 
gelical. 



187. 01 
000. 00 
Gia. 37 

724. 05 

953. 33 

300. 00 

107. 65 
7, 325. 00 



* Amoiiuts expended by missionary associations, in addition to subsidies received from the Govern- 
ment. 

tKo school or no .sub.sidy. 

A pproviriailons for education in Alaska. 

First grant to establish schools, 1884 $2~j, 000 

Annual grants, school year — 

188fi-87 •. 15, 000 

1S87-88 25, 000 

1888-89 40, 000 

1889-90 50,000 

1890-91 50, COO 

1891-92 50,000 

1892-93 40, 000 

1893-94 30, 000 

Personnel, salaries, etc. 

General agent of education for Alaska, Dr. Sheldon Jackson, Alaska $1, 200 

Assistant agent of education for Alaska, William Hamilton, Pennsylvania.. 1, 200 
Superintendent of schools for the southeastern district, William A. Kellv, 

Alaska 480 



jldrisonj board. 



Hon. Lyman E. Knapp, governor of Alaska, Vermont 

Hon. Warren Truitt, United States district judge, Oregon. 



$200 
200 



Local scliool committees (ivithout salary). 



Sitka : 

Edward de Groff. 

N. K. Feckin|)augh. 

John G. Brady. 
Juneau: 

Karl Koehler. 

John G. Held. 

Eugene S. Willard. 
Douglas: 

F. H. Fox. 

G. E. Shot tor. 
S. K. Moon. 



Wrangell: 

Thomas A. Willson. 

Kufus Sylvester. 

AV. G. Thomas. 
Jackson : 

J. W. Young. 

AV. D. McLeod. 

G. Loomis Gould, 
Metlakahtla: 

W. Duncan. 

D. J. Leask. 



Kadiak: 

N. Kasbevaroff. 

F. Sargent. 
Unga : 

N. Guttridge. 

M. Dowd. 
Uualaska : 

N. S. Rcesoff. 

N. B. Anthony. 



1748 



EDUCATION REPORT, 1892-93 



Teachers of puilic schools. 



Name. 



State. 



School. 



Salary. 



M. W. Bruce 

J. E. Coimett 

D. Davies 

L. F. Jones 

Mrs. G. Kiiapp 

O. R. McKinney 

Mrs. C.G.McLeod.. 

Miss C. PattoTi 

Mrs. M. A. SaKman. 

E.G. Smith 

E.S. Smith 

C. C.Solter 

MiH8 E. Tolman 

Mrs. L. Vanderbilt. . 
"W. W. Warne 



Nebraska 

Illinois 

Washiugton 

Now Jersey 

Pennsvlvania.. 

.....do'^. 

West Virginia. 



Port Clarence.. 
Douglas, No. 2. 
Jiiiietiu, No. 1.. 

Killisiioo 

Sitka, No. 1 

Uuga 

Jackson 



Penn.sylvania | Sitka, No. 1. 



Alaska .. 
New York. .. 

Ohio 

Washington . 

Oregon 

do 

New Jersey.. 



Juneau, No. 2.. 
Douglas, No. 1. 

Afognak 

Kadiak 

Wrangcll 

Sitka,"No. 2.... 
Haines 



$1, 200 
720 
900 
900 
540 
900 
720 
720 
720 
720 
9(10 
900 
720 
720 
900 



Miscellaneous expenses. 

Supplies (books, stationery, apparatus) $822. 49 

Fuel 1, 080. 10 

Furniture 576. 95 

Light 59.65 

Repairs 741. 90 

Incidentals 93. 50 

Schoolhouse, Port Clarence 1,000.00 

Traveling expenses. 

General agent $417. 35 

Assistant agent 337. 00 

District sitperintendent 107. 00 

Two teachers to arctic Alaska 400. 00 



I remain, with great respect, 

Hon. W. T. Harris, 

Commissioner of Education, 



Sheldon Jackson, General Agent. 




MAP OF 
S.E.ALASKA 

Prepared for U.S. Bureau of Ed\icalion 
By TJ.S Coast Ic Geodetic Survej 

Jacks<S 



Statute Miles 



60 80 



(Presbytervanr 

DIXON ENTtOi^Cf^ 




^'"*""W't#- 



TttE GLnriOUR 

OF THE ARCTIC 




Arctic Storm at Sea. 

Published by the courtesy of WlcClure's Magazine. 



CHAPTER XII. 

EEPORT 0:S EDUCATION IN" ALASKA. 



Department of thp: Interiok, 
Bureau of Education, Alaska Division, 

Washinoton, D. C, June SO, 1SD4. 

Sir: I have tlao lionor to submit my teuth annual I'eport on education in Alaska. 

The year closing June 30, 1894, has been one of gratifying progress and success, 
■v^"heu we consider the small sum of ^30,000 "which was approi)riated for this xmi'pose 
by Congress. 

Each succeeding year emphasizes the need for increased appropriations for educa- 
tion in Alaska. From 1889 to Jime, 1892, Congress voted each year $50,000 for this 
purpose. In 1892-93 this amount was reduced to $40,000; in 1893-94 it was again 
reduced to $30,000, at which figure it has been left this year. It was only by strict 
economy that the expense of the school system had been kept within the limits of 
the appropriation of $50,000, but when the appropriation was reduced $10,000 and 
$20,000 there was no help but to close some of the schools. Consequently the three 
schools at Klawack, Kake, and Karluk were suspended. The salaries of some of the 
teachers were reduced, and also the amounts paid to the contract scliools. The 
organic act creating a government for the District of Alaska declares that the Secre- 
tary of the Interior shall make all needful i^rovision for the education of the children 
of Alaska, without distinction of race; but the small sums placed at his disposal by 
Congress for this purpose practically prevent the fulfillment of the law. 

It is A-ery desirable that tlie pressing needs of the schools should be brought more 
forcibly to the attention of Congress. 

NUJIBER and general condition of the schools of ALASKA. 

There is in Alaska a school population of from 8,000 to 10,000; of these, 1,438 were 
enrolled in the 24 schools in operation during the year. Fifteen day schools, with an 
enrollment of 846 pupils, were supported entirely by the Government, at an expense 
of $18,453.20. Nine contract schools, with an enrollment of 592 pupils, were supported 
jointly by the Government and the missionary societies of the Presbyterian, Moravian, 
Lutheran, and Eomau Catholic churches. Toward the support of these contract 
schools the Government contributed $8,000 and the missionary societies $77,968.01. 

UNALASKA DISTRICT. 

Point Barron- Coniract School. — Presbyterian; population, Eskimo; T. E. Beaupre, 
M. D., teacher. The attendance was larger than that of any ju'evious year since the 
opening of the school, and entirely too large for the accommodations of the school- 
room. 

Toward spring, when the whaling season commenced (through which industry 
the population secure almost their entire living for the year), it was very difficult to 
keep up the interest of the jjupils in the school. 

Through the inability of the Presbyterian Mission Board to secure lumber, the 
school has been kept, through the courtesy of the Treasury Department, in the Gov- 
ernment refuge station. At the close of tliis year lumber has at length been secured, 
and we may now expect to increase the efficiency of the school through the better 
facilities afforded the teacher for his work. 

Cape Prince of Wales. — This school was closed during the year on account of the 
inability to secure a teacher to take the place of Mr. H. R, Thornton, Avho was 
murdered on the night of August 19, 1893. The murder was committed by a native 
desperado, Titalk, assisted by two other young men Avho had previously committed 
depredations. Mrs. Thornton gives the followiug account of the occurrence: 

'* Ou Saturday night, the ISth of August, about midnight, we were both of us 

1451 



1452 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

a^vakeued. by a very loud rap. It was very, very dark. We thoiiglit that perhaps 
someone was sick and needed medicine, for the people were all very friendly and 
Avere in the habit of coming to us. Mr. Thornton ielt sure that no one was going to 
harm us, and when he went out he said he might be gone a few minutes. Every- 
thing was quiet, aud oh ! the first thing I heard was this awful report. I think he 
must have opened the door a very little. The hole in the door was the size of a 
doorknob, aud the bullet had gone straight through. This was done with a whaling 
gun, but there was also a rille shot in the door. The whaling gun was so close to 
the outside door that the door was burued. The shot came through and cut through 
his body. How ho ever did it I do not know, but Mr. Thornton shut both doors as 
he came toward me. He said in quite a strong voice, ' I am shot.' Then I lighted 
a lamp, for it Avas dark. He was just inside the sitting-room door, unconscious, and 
covered with blood. I got the brandy right away aud put it to his lips; he did not 
move; I do not think he suffered; he was not conscious; he could not speak. I do 
not know what I did until daylight, aud then I did not know what to do. I just 
stayed in the room and walked to aud fro until daylight; then I looked through the 
hole in the door and saw the whaling gun, aud lying down beside it a shoulder gun, 
I could not tell whether anyone was there; I thought perhaps they were still there. 
I did not know whether to go out or not; I opened the window, and looking out saw 
a boy halfway between our house and the next. I did not dare to go out, and I took 
the lield ghiss and looked out, and thought it was surely Titalk. When he was gone 
I went to oue of tlie windows and shouted to au Eskimo who lived two or three 
hundred yards from our house to come out. He is a friendly' man, and attends to his 
own business. His wife came out, and they came over to the house and saw every- 
thing that was there, aud took up the guns and threw them down the hill ; she helped 
me to lift Mr. Thornton to the couch, and stayed with me. He weut out and said 
there was going to be some shooting. Pretty soon I heard a shot, aud there was a 
man killed on the beach. I did not know what was going to happen. I did not see 
them kill the second man. They dragged the two men up the hill, and insisted on 
my going to the door to see that they had really killed them. This was about noon. 

"Then my next step was to go to Port Clarence, as I did not know what the natives 
were going to do to me. This man Ipseuook said his daughter should go with me, 
but we could not go that day, and I stayed in their house with them. Then I heard 
that the Bear was coming, and thought it was so fortunate; perhaps it might stop, 
I saw it coming and had the sign of distress put up on our house, but they did not 
see it. That Avas the same day, Saturday. When I found the Bear had gone past I 
■wrote a letter and gave it to a trusty native, addressing it to Captain Healy, and 
saying, 'Mrs. Thornton in peril,' and asking him to stop at Port Clarence and take me 
to San Francisco. The next day I got off. The Indians were going down to get 
salmon at Port Clarence. There were 19 in the canoe, and a great many bags of oil 
and all the natives' provisions. Ii^senook put me in charge of another man, and sent 
his daughter with me. We were four days on the way, and arrived a little after mid- 
night. My first question was, ' Is the Bear coming back, aud Avill it stop at the 
cape ? ' The sea was A^ery heaA'y Avhen Captain Healy was going up, but coming down 
he did stop and whistle, but no natives came to the bank, but the young native with 
my note went out to the Bear. This was on Monday of the following Aveek. When 
Captain Healy found out Avhat was the matter, he sent a lieutenant on shore and up 
to the house with oue of our uatiA^es, aud they buried Mr. Thornton. Then they came 
right down to Port Clarence and took me back to Cape Prince of Wales. Mr. Lopp 
weut Avith us. I tried to take eA^erythiug that I thought the association would like 
to haA^e. Captain Healy sent the lieutenant on shore to pack the books for me. I 
do not know if it Avas Captain Healy's suggestion, but the carpenter on board the 
Bear had made a cross of wood. Of course it Avould not last very long, but it ^vas 
some kind of good wood, well oiled, with Mr. Thornton's name aud the date of his 
hirth, etc. I am glad it was a cross ; it will remind t'hem of what Ave told them about 
Jesus, aud of the sacrifice of Mr. Thornton's life while seeking their good. We 
stayed at the cape until afternoon. Of course I did not like to staj' in the house. 
Mr. Lojjp Avas with mo all the time, and he got some children to bring some flowers 
aud put them on the graA'e. Mr. Thornton Avas buried on the hill in the ground. 
The natives do not do that, but we, of course, Avished it so, and large stones were 
heaped over the graA'e." 

With the close of the year Mr. W. T. Lopp, who was formerly associated with Mr. 
Thornton at the cape, will return with his family and resume the mission. 

Teller Reindeer Training School, Fort Clarence. — Population, Eskimo; teacher, Mrs. 
W. T. Lopp. A school was kept mainly for the benefit of the herders connected Avith 
the station, a few children from the outside availing themselves of its opportunities. 

In addition to teaching Eskimo young men the management and care of domestic 
reindeer, it has also been considered desirable to give them a sufficient knowledge 
of English to enable them to become an English-speaking people as they groAv up. 

Upon the arrival of Mr. W. Thomas Lopp, July, 1893, to take the superintendency 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1453 

of the Teller Reindeer Station, Capt. M. A. Healy, of the United States revenue 
cutter Bear, very considerately sent ashore his carpenter and two sailors to repair 
the bouse and make it habitahlo for a family. Duriujj the erection of thf honso in 
1892 the supply of lunihcr had •■iven out, and the couiplctioii of the building had to 
bo powtjjoncd. Now the barn-like structure was linishcd up and divided into six 
conilortable rooms. At the rear of the building, across its entire length, a "lean-to" 
IL' b\ 00 feet was erected, furnishing comfortable (juarters for the apprentices. 

Dining the fall the Eskimo api)reutices, under the direction of Mr. Lopp, erected 
a small frame storehouse for the supplies, and two comfortable log houses 12 by 15 
feet for the use of the married herders. These houses were plastered with cement 
and clay, sheathed with the odds and ends of boxes broken up for the i)urpose, and 
stulk'd'with moss between the sheaths and logs. As these are the tirst log houses 
north of Norton Sound, they have attracted much attention from the Eskimos. A 
scow for carrying wood and a small boat for fishing were also made. 

In the fall of 1894, to accommodate the party at the station, increased by the arrival 
of the Lapps, a log residence 16 by 35 feet was put up. A log building was also 
erected at the east end of Grantly Harbor for the use of the herders in the winter, 
that section having l)een selected for the next pasturage of the herd. These log 
buildings are built from the driftwood found strewn along the ocean beach in the 
neighborhood. 

Personnel. — Mr. W. T. Lopp, of Indiana, was in charge as superintendent from July, 

1893, to August, 1894. Desiring to reopen at Cape Prince of Wales the Congrega- 
tional mission which had been closed by the murder of the missionary, Mr. Harry 
R. Thornton, August 19, 1893. Mr. Lopp asked to be relieved from the charge of the 
station at the end of the fiscal year. His re(|uest was granted, and Mr. William A. 
Kjelluiann, of Madison, Wis., Avas appointed in his place. Mr. Kjellmann arrived 
on the brig W. II. Myers, July 29, 1894, and at once took possession. In July, 1893, 
upon the removal of Mr. Bruce Gibson as assistant superintendent, there being no 
opportunity of securing a suitable successor, Cai)tain Healy, of the cutter Hear, dis- 
charged Mr. John Grubin, quartermaster, in order that he might be appointed assist- 
ant puperin-tendcnt. In August, 1894, Mr. Grubin was succeeded by Rev. T. L. 
Ih-evig, a Norwegian pastor from Stoughton, Wis. Mr. Brevig was born in Norway 
in 1857, but accompanied his parents to America when he was 10 years old, and set- 
tled in Iowa. His training as a teacher was secured in a four years' course at 
Decorah, Iowa, and he received a State certificate as teacher of public schools in 
both the English and Norwegian languages. In 1888, feeling impelled to enter the 
ministry, hetook a three years' course at the Lutheran Theological School at Minne- 
apolis, Minn.., at the close of which he w^as ordained a minister of the Norwegian 
synod. 

M.r. Brevig is expected not only to assist in the administration of the station, but 
also to have charge of the school at the station. For the fiscal year ending Juue 30, 

1894, the school was taught by Mrs. Eleanor Kittredge Lopp, with an attendance of 
69 pupils. 

Herders.— Buv'ing the winter of 1893-94 Mr. Lopp had the assistance of three Siberian 
herders— Anker and Dantin, from the South Cape of St. Lawrence Bay, and Nootadl- 
goot, from near Cape Serdze Kamen. While their help was essential, and could not 
have been safely dispensed with, they were far from satisfactory. They proved so 
passionate, obstinate, jealous, and conceited at times that Mr. Lopp wished them 
back in Siberia. Anker, especially, became so insubordinate that in February he was 
discharged. Upon one occasion, becoming angry because a tired deer lay down in 
his harness and refused to rise, Anker jumped upon his head and stamped him to 
death. During the season several of the sled deer were killed by the cruel treatment 
of the Siberian drivers. It has also since been ascertained that they were accustomed 
to kill and eat deer from the herd on the sly when out herding. 

The Siberian herders Avere employed at the beginning of the enterprise, not because 
they were considered the best, birt because they were near by and were the only ones 
that could be had at the time. It was realized from the first that if the Alaskan 
Eskimos were to be taught the management and care of the reindeer, it was impor- 
tant that they should have the benefit of the most intelligent instructors and of the 
most improved methods that were in use. By universal consent it is admitted that 
the Lapps of northern Europe, because of their superior intelligence (nearly all of 
them being able to read and write, and some of them being acquainted with several 
languages), are much superior to the Samyoed deer men of northern Europe and Asia 
and the barbarous deer men of northeastern Siberia.' Intelligence applied to the 
raising of reindeer, just as to any other industry, produces the best results. 

'Those who have read, in the appendix of the reindeer report of 1894, the letters 
of the various Scandinavians in the United States who are acquainted with the 
management of the reindeer in Europe can not fail to have been impressed with the 
unanimity with which they testify that the employment of expert Lapp herders is 
essential to the most successful introduction of domestic reindeer into Alaska. 



1454 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

Therefore, when iu 1893 it \ras ascertained that the herd at Port Clarence had safely- 
passed its first winter (thus assuring its permanence), I at once set about making 
plans to secure herders from Lapland. There being no public funds available to 
meet the expense of sending an agent to Norway in order to secure skilled Lapp 
herders, I had recourse again to the private benefaction of friends of the enterprise, 
and $1,000 was contributed.' With your apjiroval I at once sent Mr. William A. 
Kjellmann, the new superintendent, to Lapland. He sailed from Xew York City 
February 21, 1894, on the steamship Majestic to Liverpool. He then crossed. Eng- 
land to Hull, and taking a steamer'for Norway, reached Hammerfest, 300 miles north 
of the Arctic Circle (70^^ 40' N. latitude), on March 8. In the face of an arctic Avinter 
and raging snowstorms, the mercury 39" below zero, he pushed back into the moun- 
tains with reindeer and sled to Kautokeino, the center of the Finmarken district, 
where there were 65,000 reindeer. 

Great difhculty was experienced in procuring the consent of the herders to leave 
their country and their people. The fact that there is not a single colony of Lapps 
in the United States or elsewhere shows their intense love of honie and great unwill- 
ingness to leave it. In addition to their aversion to leave home and friends, they 
were afraid of the barbarous people among whom they were to be takeu. However, 
after being assured of safe conduct and final return home, the following persons were 
secured : 

Johan Spemsen Tornensis, wife, and one child under 1 year of age ; Samuel Johusen 
Kemi, wife, and two children, ages 1 and 4 years ; Mathis Aslaksen Eira, wife, and one 
child 4 years of age; Mikkel Josefsen Nakkila and wife; Per Aslaksen Rist ; Fred- 
erick Larseu. Some of these are men of property, owning large herds of reindeer, 
and have several thousand dollars deposited in bank. They can all read and write, 
and some of them speak the Finnish, Russian, and Norwegian languages. They 
brought with them a full sujiply of Lapp literature, including hymn books and 
Bibles. 

Leaving Kautokeino on April 10, Hammerfest the 17th, and Christiania the 26th, 
they reached Now York City May 12, 1894, the iirst colony ot Lapps that ever set 
foot on the North American continent. Passing directly westward to Madison, Wis., 
they tarried there until Mr. Kjellmann, the superintendent, concluded his prepara- 
tions for removing his family to Alaska. Leaving Madison May 21 over the Great 
Northern Railway, the party were caught in washouts in Montana. Transferring to 
the Northern Pacific, they finally reached. Seattle June 2, and ultimately San Fran- 
cisco, by steamer, June 5. At San Francisco, after twelve tlays' delay, the party was 
taken on board the whaling brig TF. H. Mj/crs, and sailed from San Francisco for the 
Teller Reindeer Station, Port Clarence, Alaska, where they arrived safely July 29, 
having traveled over 12, .500 miles. 

Contract labor — The importation of skilled Lapp herders raised the question among 
a few of the newspapers whether it was not an infringement of the law "to prohibit 
the import.ation and immigration of foreigners to perform labor in the United States, 
its Territories, and the District of Columbia," approved February 26, 1885. The 
legality of the transaction was given early attention. The proposed action was 
brought to the attention of Mr. Herman Stump, United States Superintendent of 
Immigration, who, upon learning all the circumstances, decided that the case was 
provided for by section 5 of the above act, which reads: 

"Nor shall this act be so construed as to jirevent any person or persons, partner- 
ship, or corporation from engaging under contract or agreement skilled workmen in 
foreign countries to perform'labor in the United States'in or upon any new industry 
not at present established in the United States : Provided, That skilled labor for that 
purpose can not be otherwise obtained." (23 Stat., 332.) 

As herding reindeer was first established in the United States iu 1892, and as there 
were no skilled reindeer herders in the country, their importation from abroad was 
very clearly within the law. 

Apprentices.— 'Dnv'ing the year fifteen Eskimo men were employed in the care of the 
herd and in securing supplies for the station. 

Constant changes" are taking place in the band. Some become tired of regular 
duty and return home. Others are dismissed because of habitual carelessness. Those 
that remained regularly made good progress and manifested an adaptation to the 
work that augurs well for tlieir future success. 

One of the tendencies observed in the apprentices is a feeling that as soon as thoy 
can throw a lasso and drive a team they have learned all that they need to know, and 
that after a few months' service they are fully competent to take the entire charge 
of the herd. I have noticed the same disposition among the natives of southeast 
Alaska in learning the carijenter or other trades. 

iThe contributors to the above fund were: Mrs. William Thaw, Pittsburg, $3.50 ; 
Mrs. Elliot F. Shepard, New York, $250; Miss Mary L. Kennedy, New York, $200; 
Mr. John Nicholas Brown, Providence, R. I., $100; Mrs. Helen Sinclair RobiuBon, 
Hawaiian Islands, $50; Mr. H. 0, Houghton, Boston, $50. 



EEPOET ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



1455 




niA 






Wk 



( 






I'li', 



i^ ' fB^ 



1456 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

Because a fireman ou a locomotive learns to open and shut certain valves, and start, 
slow down, or stop the engine, it does not follow that ho is competent to take the 
engineer's place. No more does it follow because an Eskimo man gains a little expe- 
rience with reindeer that ho is able to take charge of a herd. In Laplaud, where 
the people have greater intelligence and the advantage of heredity, a young man is 
required to serve an apprenticeship of five years before ho is considered competent 
to manage for himself. Mr. William A. Kjellmanu, who was brought up among th» 
Lapps and spent much of his life in dealing with reindeer, writes wisely that— 

"To learn to be a good herder or deer man takes as much time as to learn any other 
trade. It is not only necessary to learn how to throw a lasso, how to drive or keep 
good watch while with the herd, but the main part is to know how to take care of 
the fawns so that the herd can increase, to select a good sheltered place to keep tho 
herd when the fawns are born, to know how to make use of every i^article of Iha 
deer so that nothing is thrown away, and to learn to think and act quickly in aa 
emergency, and stand any hardship wlien necessary to save the herd. All this may 
be looked upon by outsiders as soon learned, but it is not so. It is only acquired by 
attention and long practice." 

In addition to their duties with the herd, a small amount of schooling was fur- 
nished, and arrangements have been made by which during the present year each 
apprentice will have four full mouths of school. 

Besides food, clothing, and instruction each apprentice that does well throughout 
tho entire year is given 2 female deer, at the end of the second year 5, and at the end 
of the third and each succeeding year that he remains at the station, 10. This, at 
the end of a five years' course, will give each one 37 deer, with the increase which 
will probably bring his holding up to 50. 

Herd. — On the 3bth of September, 1893, a count of tho herd showed 343 head of 
reindeer. During the winter 20 were lost by disease and accident. During April, 
May, and June, 1894, 186 fawns were born, of which 41 were lost bj' being frozen or 
deserted by their mothers, the thermometer registering during the calving season 
30° below zero. 

During the summer of 1894, 120 head of deer were purchased in Siberia and 
transported to the Teller Station, making a total of 588. 

Breaking and driving. — Special attention was given during tho year in breaking the 
deer to harness and practicing the apprentices in driving. 

In the fall of 1893 there were only 11 trained deer in the herd. During the winter 
13 additional ones were broken in. 

Harness.— 'ExiJCTinienta were also continued with regard to harness. The Siberian 
harness consists of a strap around the neck of the deer and connected with a trace 
which passes between the forelegs and outside the hind legs to tlie sled. In long 
drives or hauling heavy loads the trace necessarily chafes the hind leg, and often 
disables the animal. Superintendent Lopp tried a harness consisting of collar, back 
and belly band, and two traces, which doubled the drawing powers of the deer. 

Milking. — Exjieriments with milking were not much of a success. For 6 herders 
to catch 5 cows, throw and liold them down, and milk with thumb and forefinger 1 
quart of milk, usually required two hours. 

Upon the arrival of the Lapps in the snmmer of 1894, a change was at once inau- 
gurated. The Lapps milk the deer standing, just as cows are milked in the States. 

"When I left tlie station in the fall the Lapps were securing about GO quarts of milk 
per day, which was being manufactured into cheese for winter use. Under their 
management much better results should be obtained this present year. 

Distribution. — In August last 118 head of deer were given to Mr. W. T. Lopp, m 
charge of the mission of the American Missionary Association at Cape Prince of 
Wales, for the use of that station. This is the commencement of the policy of the 
Government to secure the active cooperation and assistance tf all the missionaries 
in Alaska. 

Tho missionaries being the most intelligent and disinterested friends of tho natives, 
the Government naturally looks to them as the best agents through whom to reach 
them. From their position and work, having learned the character and needs of the 
people, they are best fitted to wisely plan and carry out methods for transferring the 
ownership of the deer from the Government to the natives in such a manner as will 
best facilitate the reindeer industry. 

The Government further realizes the fact that the natives who most completely come 
under mission infiuence, civilization, and education are the coming men of affairs 
among their own jieople, and therefore are the best men to lead in a new movement. 

At an early day herds will be turned over to the Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Roman 
Catholic, Moravian, Methodist, and Swedish mission stations. 

I have also perfected arrangements by which on January 1, 1895, a herd of 100 
should be loaned to Antesilook, Iziksic, Koktowak, lupuk, and Soovawhasie (na- 
tives) for five years, at the expiration of which time they are to return 100 head of 
deer to the Government, and retain the increase for themoelves. This herd will be 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1457 

located about a day's journey south of the Teller StatioTi, iind will bo under tho 
general supervision of the Government superintendent. The natives will be accom- 
panied and assisted by a family of Lap])s. 

The progress of this latter herd will bo watched with special interest. 

CariluiH. — A larno herd of wild reindeer exists from 000 to 700 miles inland, in the 
neighborhood of Fort Yukon, Porcupino K'iver, and tho Lower Maclvenzie Kiver. In 
small bands they are found within 100 miles of the coast, and extending from the 
Arctic south to tho Alaskan peninsula. They are not accessible, however, to large 
numbers of tho people, and it is much easier, speedier, and cheaper to i)rocuro those 
that have come down through generations of taming than to attempt to catch and 
tame the wild ones. 

liebulcev at Fiialnsl-a. — In 1891 sixteen head of reindeer were purchased to disprove 
the assertions that the Siberians would not sell, and to prove by actual trial that tho 
reindeer could bo successfully transported by sea. No arrangements at tho time 
having been perfected for herding them, they were turned loose ui)oii tho islands of 
Unalaska and Amakuak in ITnalaska Harbor, where, uucared for, they have main- 
tained themselves from that time to the present. Last winter four of the herd ou 
Amakuak Island walked out on a ledge of snow which overhung a yu'ecipice, and the 
ledge breaking off under their weight, they were killed on the rocks below. 

Stockhifi the Jleiitian Islands. — The success of the reindeer on tho islands of Unalaska 
and Amakuak suggests the wisdom of stocking tho whole Aleutian group. This 
remarkable chain of islands reaches oi\t from fhe mainland of Alaska 1,000 miles 
toward Asia. It is composed of many islands sufficient in area and pasturage to 
maintain large herds of reindeer. The scattered Aleutian population, in tho past 
supported by sea-otter hunting, are now being reduced to want by the disappearance 
and destruction of the otter. The introduction of reindeer would be to them a new 
and valuable source of food supply. 

Again, between the islands are the passes which lead from the Pacific Ocean to 
Bering Sea and the Arctic. On the llth of May, 1894, the whaling bark James Allen, 
attempting to sail through, struck a sunken reef oft' the east end of Amlia Island and 
went down, the crow taking to their boats. Twenty-five persons were drowned or 
died from exposure. iVnd when, on Juno 14, Cai)tain Healy, ol tho Hear, took the 
last nine survivors off' of Umnak Island, they were found eating the dead body of a 
companion who had died two weeks previous. If those islands had been supplied 
■with reindeer much of this starvation and loss of life could have been prevented. 
In view of the importance of increasing the food supply throughout that desolate 
region, I woxild recommend that early steps be taken to turn loose a few reindeer 
upon the principal islands of the Aleutian group and the larger islands of the Bering 
Sea. 

L'eindeev transportation. — From year to j-ear increasing nTimbers of the whalers are 
wintering at Herschell Islaud, off" the Arctic coast, northwest from the mouth of the 
Mackenzie Eiver. Millions of dollars of capital are invested in these vessels and 
their outfits. If their owners in San Francisco, Cal., and New Bedford, Mass., could 
hear from them during the winter, it might make a difference of thousands of dollars 
in the supplies sent the following si>ring. With the general introduction of domestic 
reindeer throughout Arctic Alaska, it will be entirely feasible to send the mail from 
the whaling fleet, between four and five hundred miles across, to the mining settle- 
ments on the upper Yukon Rivei', from the mining settlements, over tho range, 850 
miles, to southeast Alaska, and civilization. The Postmaster- General is already 
arranging for a mail service to the Yukon mines. 

During last summer unusually rich placer mines were discovered in the Yukon 
country, and with the large number of men in the United States out of employment, 
it is probable that increasing numbers will find their way to the Alaska mines. But 
a large number of miners can not be maintained in that barren country without 
increased facilities for taking in food supplies. Two river steamers make two round 
trips a season upon the Y'ukon for a distance of about 2,000 miles. But these 
steamers can not ascend the tributaries of that mighty river, and it is upon the 
tributaries that the rich mines, so far as known, are situated. The river steamers 
land their supplies at trading posts at tho months of these tributaries, and then the 
difficult question presents itself of getting the supplies to, the mines. They can 
partly be taken on dog sleds, and partly packed upon the backs of Indians. The 
latter is very expensive and the former insufficient. There are not dogs enough in 
the country to take in an ample supply. Hence the miners are clamorous that rein- 
deer should be secured in larger numbers so that they can have some for transportation 
purposes. 

Again, at intervals of from 200 to 500 miles Government schools and missionary 
stations are distributed along the coast from Point Barrow southward, and in the 
valleys of the great rivers. It is important to the greater efficiency of these stations 
that they have more frequent communication with the outside world than once a 
year, as at present. It is also an act of common humanity to bring them more closely 
ED 94 92 



1458 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

in toncli and sympathy with their friends. This can he done with the general 
introduction of the domestic reindeer. 

At Point Barrow there is a Preshyterian mission and school, a Government refuge 
station, and two shore whaling stations in charge of white men. l^rom Point Bar- 
row a reindeer express can carry the mail 360 to 400 miles down the ( oast to Point 
Hope. At Point llopo is an Episcopal mission and school and two shore whaling 
stations. From Point Hope the express would go southeast 420 to 500 miles to 
Kulato, on the Yukon River. 

Commencing another line at Bering Straits it would convey the mail from the 
Congregational mission at Cape Prince of AVales, the Government reindeer station at 
Port Clarence, and the Swedish mission at Goloviu ISay to Xulato. From Nulato the 
express could go southward, taking in a large numher of mission stations and trad- 
ing posts, across the Alaskan peninsula to Katmai on Shelikolif Straits, where it could 
connect by steamship with San Francisco. From Nulato to Katmai would be, 
approximately, 850 to 900 miles. 

But as the Post-Oflice De])artment will first open mail commimications with the 
mining camps on the upper Yukon, it will be mqre feasible for tho present to run the 
leindeer express tip the Yukon River to tho mining settlements, and connect tho 
southwestern settlements with this trunk line. At Nushagak (Carmel), on Bristol 
Bay, southwestern Alaska, is a Moravian mission and school, a Russo-Greek mission, 
and several large salmon canneries. Starting at Carmel the express can carry the 
mail via the IMoravian station at Quinehaha and the salmon canneries in the vicinity 
of Bethel, 400 miles. At Bethel is a Moravian mission school and trading place. 
From Bethel up tho Kuskoqiiim River via Moravian mission Ogavigamutc, the 
Eusso-Greek mission Oogovigamute, tho Roman Catholic mission, Okliagamute, 
thence across to the Russo-Greek mission at Ikogmute, on the Yukon River, up the 
Yukon River to tho Roman Catholic mission at Koserefski, the Episcopal mission at 
Anvik, the Russo-Greek mission and seaport trading place at St. Michael, and tho 
Swedish mission at Unalaklik to Nulato, about 500 miles from Bethel. At Nulato 
the branch lines from Point Barrow, Cape Princo of Wales, and Carmel unite in a 
trunic lino np tho Yukon Rive^ to St. James Mission (Episcopal), 200 miles. 

In tho future, if found necessary, a route can he had up the Tanana River, across 
to tho CopY>er River and down tho Copper to Nntchek, on an island in Princo Williams 
Sound. But for some years to come there will be no need to go that Avay. 

Continuing up the Yukon River from St. James Mission the route would lead to 
Fort Yukon (2.j0 miles), where it Avould be joined by the branch line from tho Avhal- 
ing lleet (400 miles) ; from thence to Buxton, in the mines (200 miles), Avhere it would 
couuoct with tho mail to Haines and southeast Alaska (770 miles). The trunk line, 
with its several branches, would number 4,000 miles. To Katmai and Nutchek would 
add 'JOO to 1,000 additional miles. 

To make this express possible it is essential that the reindeer shall be widely dis- 
tributed throughout all northern Alaska, and to accomplish this in the near future 
will require some more rapid method of securing the animals. 

A purchase station in Siheria. — The experience of the past three years has demon- 
strated the fact that the present system of purchasing deer is too slow and tedious. 
Ths srason when the ico conditions are favorable on tho coast of Siberia is usually 
confined to about six weeks in July and August. The ship visits a village in the 
neighborhood of a small herd, and sometimes a week is cousumed in securing a load. 
As a result, notwithst.anding constant diligence during the ih^v weeks that could be 
devoted to it by the cutter Ilcar, Ave onlj^ succeeded in purchasing, in 1892, 171; in 
1883, 124, and in 1894, 120 head of deer. At this rate of increase it will take many 
years to accomplish tho purposes of the GoA'ei'nment. What is now necessary is 
some method by Avhich the deer can be procured in largo numbers. If, instead of 
delaying the sliiji while tedious negotiations aro pending, someone could be sent on 
in advance to make the purchases and have the animals gathered ready for shipment, 
it Avould greatly facilitate matters. Instead of transporting 100 or 200 head a season, 
there is no reason why 1,000 should not bo secured. 

Last season a moA'ement was made in this direction by Captain Healy detailing 
Lieut. C. M. White and a seaman and sending them up tho coast to negotiate for 
deer. This experiment was not A'ery successful. Although Lieutenant White secured 
the iiromlso of a largo number, yet Avhen a ship came along to collect them many of 
the owners backed down and failed to deliA'er according to promise. 

I think, howoA'er, that if, with the consent of the Russian GoA'ernment, a party 
could bo placed on the Siberian coast in the fall Avith a supply of trade goods, and 
left through the winter to barter with the deer men, a largo number of animals 
could bo secured. 

With a supply store within reach, tho deer men would come as often as their neces- 
sities required, and in the place of money (of which they have no knowledge) barter 
deer in exchange for supplies. As the deer came in from time to time Ihey could be 
made into a station herd, and Siberians employed to herd them. The following sum- 




John A. Tuck. 



Rev. Juhu TI. Kilbuck, 




L. j\I. Stevenson. Rev. John \V. Cliapnian. 

Teachers, Western Alaska. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1459 

mer, being p^atheretl into ono place, the sliip ■wonld liavo nothing to do but to trans- 
port them, ANhich could be easily done. Stich a course might not nicot expectations, 
but in the absence of some better plan I would like to see it tried, aud therefore 
respectfully recommend it to your favorable consideration. 

^7. Laicrenee Island School. — Population. Eskimo. This important village still 
remains Avithout a teacher, and the schoolhouse closed. Mr. V. C. (Jamhell, super- 
intendent of the public schools of Wapello, Iowa, has arranged to open this school 
in the fall of 1894, and he and his wife are now en route to their distant field. 

(')i(ihikUk-. — Population, Eskimo; Unalaska Contract School; Swedish Evangelical; 
Axel E. Karlson, teacher. No rei)ort. 

Koserefski, Contract iSchool. — Holy Cross Mission; Roman Catholic; Father Tosi, 
superior; teachers, Sisters of St. Ann and Brothers of Jesus; enrollment, 72; popu- 
lation, Indian and Eskimo. This is the leading Roman Catholic school in the 
Territory. N.o report. 

Bethel contract school. — Moravian ; population, Eskimo ; Rev. John H. Kilbuck, 
teacher. To this school the year jiroved one of very gr«at hardship. During last 
summer and fall the season was so wet, and there was so much high water in the 
river that there was a very small catch of fish. The wet weather also prevented the 
proper curing of the iish, 'which are dried in the sun ; accordingly, over one-third of 
the Iish taken were spoiled in the curing. By Christmas many of the people were 
short of food, and from thence on until the spring the people were often in great straits 
for food, and great fears were entertained of many starving to death. The hunger 
was so extreme that dogs that li.ad been dead for weeks Avere eaten. Owing to the 
famine the school was necessarily closed in January when the supply of food had 
completely given out, and the children were sent to the mountains to trap such game 
as they could procure. During the year a sawmill has been built in connection with 
the school, and before winter set in 25,000 feet of lumber was sawed. This will 
enable the mission to secure an abundance of lumber at a reasonable rate, and means 
better facilities for carrying on the school aud mission work. This important school 
is gaining a stronger hold every year upon the people in the valley of the Kuskoquim, 
aud its inlluence is felt to the remotest villages, along the stream. 

As an illustration of the character and customs of the peojile, among whom many 
of the schools are situated, I give the following extracts from Mrs. J. H. Kilbuck'a 
diary : 

^' heptemhcr G, 1SS7. — Lomuck, father of one of our schoolboys, sent for a saw, stat- 
ing that he had a sick child which was going to die, and he wished a saw to make a 
coffin. 

' ' Septcmher 20, 1SS7. — A few days ago we were shocked by the news of a very heathen- 
ish and cruel atteujpt to kill a little child, a sickly boy about 2 years old. Ho was 
taken away from the village and tied down at the water's edge at low tide, without 
any clothes on. A passer-by heard his cry and found the child with the water nearly 
to its neck. It was taken to the post and cared for. The child's motlier is dead, and 
the father had left it in the care of an old Avomau of Mumtreckhlagamute, avIio most 
likely did the deed, as she Avaa on her way to winter in her village. The only thing 
that surprised the natives was the fact that it was a boy. They often kill their little 
girl babies. 

" Fehruary 17, 188S. — Girls arc not very welcome among these people. Sometimes 
they kill them or give them away. 

" August ID, ISSS. — An old woman at the post, who stayed with us for awhile when 
we first came, is dead. The natives accused her of killing 2 children by witchery, 
for which they clubbed her to death, severed all her . joints, aud burned her Avith oil, 
as is their custom of treating such persona. Suiierstitiou has a strong hold here, and. 
is one of our greatest hindrances. 

"December 2, 1SS8. — An old woman, insane and hard to care for, was brought down 
the river, aud when strangers refused to keep her, her nephcAv took her back aud 
deliberately froze her to death. He had offered pay for someone to kill her, but as 
no one Avoiild do it for him he did it himself, contrary to the strict ordei-s of Mr. Lind, 
not to take her life. Such cruel things are hard to believe; but the natiA'CS do 
not seem the least surprised, nor think any the less of those who commit these acts. 

"April 15, ISDO. — On the 5th our uatiA^e helper, Brother Hooker, at Quichtlamute, 
a brave, good man, Avas killed by the natives, by clubbing, because of tempoi-ary 
insanity. 

'■'Shamanism. — Mr. Kilbuck reproA-ed an old Shopman hero for having two Avives. 
The old man said ho would Shaman the missionary and prejudice the natiA^es against 
him. ^Ye find that many men have tAvo and some even three Avives. 

"I think we haA'e gained the love and contidence of all around us, except the old 
Shamans, who are fast losing their inlluence. 

" Fehntari/, 1SS9. — When Mr. Kilbuck, the missionary, was delayed in the moun- 
tains on a trip to Bristol Bay, and Avas given up bj' all for lost, the old Shaman said 
that he had brought on this bad weather for the purpose of killing Mr. Kilbuck 



1460 EDUCATION EEPORT, 1893-94. 

for reproving him for liis bigamy ; and for a time be seemed to regain power over the 
natives, wlio feared him, although they hated him at the same time. But when Mr. 
Kilbiick returned, the natives said the Shaman might have made the bad weatlier, 
but tliat did not kill him nor keep him from coming home. Two old women Sha- 
maned for his return. One confessed she had no power over storms, and the other 
said it was because the missionaries had left lish exposed to the night air. The next 
night the fish were all stored away by some unknown person. The power of the 
Shamans is greatly damaged, and their future is not promising around Bethel. 

" Decemler 10, 1SS9, — Our schoolboy, Eddie, is sick. An old Shaman hung around 
the place all day, hoping to make a few dollars oif the child's parents for Shaman- 
ning him. But, finding himself defeated by our care, ha did a considerable amount 
of growling before he left. I have no mercy on the Shamans. They are barefaced 
liars, deceiving the people and living off them. 

"Sickness and diseases. — Pneumonia is a dreadful disease here. The people who 
take it nearly all die for want of better care. On the river below us fifty-five deaths 
are reported," but tliose near us whom we have treated have all recovered. 

"One old Shaman, after having failed to cure himself, neut for Mr. Kilbuck, and 
he is now well. 

"December 3, 18S6. — Every day some cases come here for treatment. Some we can 
cure; others it is impossible to benefit in any way. They have great faith in every- 
thing that we do, and this is one great advantage. Many pitiable cases present 
themselves; many children with spinal troubles. We see some of the most loath- 
some sights that you can well imagine — sores that look like some of the extreme 
illustrations given in surgical books, and then so crusted with dirt that no part of 
the skin is visible, the sore being angry looking and full of moving insect life. To 
first cleanse and then care for such a thing is by no means a pleasant task, and yet 
it is pleasing to see how grateful they are for the care we give them. 

"Domestic hclj). — Procopi's wife is tlie most faithful help I have ever had. She ia 
never idle, despite her family of three children to care for, and does as much work 
as any woman I have had, with or without children. She used to be a great trial to 
us before she became a Christian. We knew that she would steal at every chance. 
We caught her at it and were obliged to limit her liberties about the premises, but 
now we can place the utmost confidence in her. 

"December 22, 1SS9. — Christmas. This afternoon we had a short service to practice 
our boys in singing their Christmas pieces. It would have done you good to see 
them, all so clean and happy, as thej'^ followed the words in the hymn books and 
sang. The natives from Quichtlamute are here. They live about twenty-five miles 
distant. 

"December 27, 18S9. — At the Christmas services 150 natives were present, and the 
best of order prevailed. The addresses in both English and native were good. The 
children's eyes danced as they saw the ornamented and lighted trees. George and 
Augustus aided in distributing the i>resents, and I was proud of them as they calmly 
and manfully performed their parts. 

"Janiiarji 24, 1S90. — A note froui Mr. Kilbuck, from Quichtlamute, reads as follows : 
'We had a big meeting last night and a good one, too. The people say Shamanning 
and masquerading must go, because they want to folloAv Jesus Christ.' 

"December 13, 1S91. — Our first hymn translated. We have often been asked to 
translate some of our hymns and gospel songs into native. And now, at last, at last 
we have one translated. It is the hymn 'Jesus Loves Me.' We have had one stanza 
completed for some time, and lately Mr. Kilbuck, with the aid of the schoolboys and 
two natives, has gotten out the chorus and the remaining two stanzas. The natives 
are almost wild over 'their hymn,' as they call it. On Sunday, instead of an address, 
we drilled the natives for two hours on our new hymn, and before the service closed 
they made the house ring with about 75 voices. I will write out the hymn, although 
you will not understand it. Yet I wish it recorded here in my journal. 

JESUS KIMX-KANG-A. 

"Ang-nex-twa xa At-ta-vut whong-u-ta 

Kah-nax-jah-Xiih-nick Xok tochi-ki-xa-kut 
To chal-li-lou kah-ncixgah-xang-s-li-ni 

Whing-a Xok kiuiukanga Jesus Christus. 

Chorus. 
"Ang-ne'x-t'wa-xa Jesus kirun-kang-a 

Lien kimn-kang-a Lien kimn-kang-a 
Ang-nex-t wa-xa J esus kimn-kang-a 

Whong-ung-ax-nali whing a. 

"Everyone is delighted with the hymn, and the trader says it is all he hears around 
the trading post. The native helper, Lomuck, has come from his village up the river, 
having heard of the hymn. He could not rest until he had heard it sung in the chapel. 
'Now,' he says, ' the natives see that we have a meaning to our songs, and think of 
God when we sing.' Other hymns have since been translated." 




Moravian Mission, Bethel, Alaska, 




School Children, Bethel. Alaska. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1461 

UNALASKA DISTUICT. 

Unnlanln srlwol. — John A. Tuck and Miss Anna Fnlcomcr, te.ichors; attendance, 
24; poimlation, Russian Creoles. This school is niado up mainly of the gills that 
are iu the Jessie Loe Memorial Home. Being regular in attendance, they have made 
very rapid progress during the year. Indeed, this is one of the nu)dcl scliools of 
western Alaska, and through its efficiency has attracted much attention from the 
otticers of the Bering Sea lleet, as well as others who have had a chance to visit it. 

In Senate Ex. Doc. No. 107, Fifty-second Congress, second session, containing the 
reports of the United States Treasury agents to the seal islands, occur the following 
allusions: 

"The Hon. "William H. AVilliams, Treasury agent to the seal islands, reporting to 
the honorable the Secretary of the Treasury on the condition of the natives on those 
islands, writes: 

' ' ' Especial attention is invited to the schools on the seal islands. They have been 
in operation over twenty years, and yet they have not succeeded iu teaching a pupU 
to read or write a sentence in the English language. * « * 

" 'Radical changes are absolutely necessary in these respects, if it is the desire of 
our Government to civilize, educate, and improve this peojile. They should not only 
be taught the rudiments of the English language, but also habits of industry, econ- 
omy, cleanliness, and morality. That these people are quick to learn and susceptible 
to rapid improvement is demonstrated in the charity school at Unalaska, conducted 
by Mr. and Mrs. Tuck. Six of the most promising ori^hans on the islands were sent 
there in September, 1890, and I found on visiting the school this year that they 



■For over twenty years the Government has maintained an English school upon 
the islands, and yet not ten natives on both of them can make themselves even fairly 
well understood in English, nor has any ajipreciable advance been made in the direction 
of American citizenship. * * * 

" ' Jh iUastration of what can he done. — That it is not impossible to establish schools 
that will be entirely successful, not only in teaching these people to speak, to read, 
and to write the English language, but to traiu them iu more upright and useful 
methods of domestic life, is shown by the history of the Lee school at Unalaska, 
presided over by Mr. and Mrs. Tuck. At this school have been gathered children 
from all parts of the Aleutian chain, and some from the islands of St. Paul and St. 
George, whose intellectual advancement seemed to be hojieless. Before two years 
had passed these children were able to make themselves well understood in English, 
while their improvement iu manner and character was simply astonishing. This I 
know from personal observation. The success of the Lee school is due to the per- 
sonal equation of the individuals presiding over it, and to the fact that the children 
are removed from their native home influences.'" 

Vnga school. — Teacher, O. R. McKinney; enrollment, 36; population, Russian 
Creole. When Mr. McKinney took charge of this school on the 12th of October, 1891, 
he found the children shy and suspicious. Very few of them could be induced even 
to try to speak English, and the fewwho did try spoke it very imperfectly. The key 
of the school building had been left in the bauds of a half-breed who has since been 
driven from the place for embezzlement and stealing. The schoolhouse had been 
thrown open for drunken dances and carousing, and was in such bad repair as to be 
unfit for use. The driving rains of that region came in at the windows and kept the 
sides of the floor wet most of the time. The ceiling was not quite 7 feet high, with 
no means of ventilation in the rocmi. The lumber and furniture for the teacher's 
residence had been left at Pirate Cove, on Popof Island, 20 miles distant, so it was 
necessary to charter a small schooner to bring it to the village. During the winter 
of 1892 and 1893 Mr. McKinney put a ventilator into the schoolroom and built a coal 
shed and a storm porch. He then went to work and raised the ceiling of the school- 
room, added 8 feet to the length, lined it throughout with beaded red wood ceiliug, 
and gave it oue coat of paint. Last vacation, with his own hands, he took up the 
floor, which was badly out of order, relaid it, and gave it a good coat of red-rock 
paint. Last fall the Government sent 3 dozen new desks. So that after these years 
of repairs and attention the schoolhouse has been brought into a suitable condition 
for the use of the school. Encouraged by the improvement of the schoolroom, the 
people of the village took hold and raised a sum of money with which has been pur- 
chased a circulating library. 

KADIAK DISTRICT. 

Eadiak school— Rer. C. C. Solter, teacher; enrollment, 59; population, Russian 
Creole. The school opened on the first Monday in September, with a fair attendance. 
This being the season of the year when the children are frequently sent to the 
woods for berries, which are put up for winter use, many of the children were kept 



1462 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

away. Soon after tlie opening la grippe made its appearance and not one of the 
pupils escaped. Tbe "winter there, as elsewhere in Alaska, was one of unprecedented 
storms and uuusiial severity. Such a season has not been known for twenty-five 
years. From these several causes the attendance of pupils was less than usual. 
Those that were able to attend, however, made marked progress in their studies and 
haA'o shown improvement not only intellectually, but also morally. 

At Christmas the school gave an entertainment, which had an excellent efi^ect upon 
the parents of the children, who seemed to grasp the possibility of their children 
doing the same things as those of more favored people. Although the peojile are 
very poor, tliey have manifested their growing interest in the school by subscribing 
for and procuring a fine set of school maps. The universal use of the Eussiau lan- 
guage in the homes of the children is a great barrier in their progress of acquiring 
the English language. Another drawback in the homes of the people is the preva- 
lence of intemperance, especiallj' upon holidays. The teacher makes an earnest 
appeal for a standard manikin showing the efl'ect of alcohol upon the human system 
as an aid to temperance instruction. 

J fognalc school. — Teacher, Mrs. C. M. Col well; enrollment, 38; population, Russian 
Creoles. 

CarlooTc school. — Population, Eskimo. This school is suspended for want of suffi- 
cient appropriation. 

SITKA DISTRICT. 

Yakutat contract school. — Swedish Evangelical mission ; Eev. A. J. Hendrickson and 
Rev. Alvin Johnson, teachers; poi^ulation, Thlingets; enrollment, 105. During the 
year progress has been made in the erection of one new building and in the more 
regular attendance of the native chihlren. The erection of a sawmill in connection 
with tlio school has provided the necessary lumber by which the natives have been 
iniluenced to pull down their former houses and erect more comfortable and improved 
ones. 

Hoonah contract school. — Presbyterian; population, Thlinget. This school met with 
a great loss in the death of Rev. John W. McFarland. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland went 
to Hoonah in 1883. They found the people barbarous, and have labored in season 
and oi:t of season until a church has been established, with over 100 native commii- 
uicauts, and nearly the entii^e child population have been brought under instruction. 
There are no stations in southeast Alaska where the work has been more fruitful 
with the same number of laborers. 

Jiiclson school. — Mrs. Clara G. McLeod, teacher; enrollment, 90; population, Ilydah. 
This school has kept on its even way during its entire life under one teacher, the 
good effects of which are shown in the progress made by the pupils. 

KiUisnoo school. — L. F. Jones, teacher; enrollment, 75; population, Thlingets and 
Russian Creoles. On the morning of February 18, 1894, the schoolhouso was 
destroyed by lire. The wind at the time blowing a gale, and the water being frozen 
in the reservoir, there was nothing to be done but to get out as much of the prop- 
erty as possible and see the building burn to the ground. Upon the joint recom- 
mendation of Governor .James Sheakley and Supt. William A. Kelly, it has been 
decided not to rebuild at present, but wait until a larger ax)propriation can be 
secured. 

Haines. — W. W. Wamo, teacher; enrollment, 41; population, Thlinget. The chil- 
dren in the mission homo at Haines, Alaska, not only receive instruction, but the 
children of the village, which is about 2 miles from the mission building, are also 
gathered in as day school pupils. The teachor'writes : " Frequently I go down to the 
village to hunt up my children. I often find them still in bed. It doesn't take long 
for these village children to get ready for school ; they uleep with all their clothes on. 
In the morning they jump out of bed, smooth their hair, wash their faces and hands 
and they are ready. Sometimes they perform their morning ablution at the spring 
on the way to school." 

Concerning them one of the missionaries writes : 

"TheChilcat tribe is divided into two clans, namely, the Wolf and the Raven. 
Each clan is divided into phratries or tribes, each phratry having its own headsman 
or chief. AVhat little power the chiefs had over their jihratries has almost 
disappeared. 

"The Chilcats are, perhaps, the tallest and best formed of all the Thlinget people. 
They are shrewd traders, and will generally get the best of a bargain, even in some 
instances outwitting their white brothers. W'hei'c Christianity has not softened and 
refined them they are self-assertive, arrogant, and boastful to an almost ludicrous 
degree. They, more than any other Thlinget tribes, hold most tenaciously to their 
old-time customs. 

"The 'potlatch' is one of the most interesting of the customs which the Chilcats 
practice. Any such event as death, the building of a new house, making reparation 
for real or imaginary wrongs received, and +''"i attainment of higher rank is made 
the occasion, for a x^oitlatch. 



REPORT OX EDUCATION IX ALASKA. 



1463 



> 





1 1 I'HIf 

1 1 I llll 


~-=\ 




r— — ,--^^^^^=1 




1464 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

"When a man or family of the Raven clan gives a potlatch, all the Ravens of the 
neighborhood are expected to contribute their share of blankets, calicoes, food, or any 
and all kinds of property for distribution among those of the opposite clan, the Wolf. 
The guests are seated by families or totems. The master of c-eremonies ojiens the 
jiotlatch with a long-winded speech on ancestry, or some eqiially dry theme, and gen- 
erally concludes with a coarse jest or joke, which is received by the crowd with 
hilarious uproar. The ceremony is not conducted by any rule or law. Whenever 
the master of the potlatch sees fit the bales of blankets, bolts of calico, boxes and 
barrels of white man's food are distributed by men stationed all over the room for 
that purpose. The master of the feast holds up a blanket and tears it into strips. 
In a voice that can be heard far above the general bustle and hubbub he calls out 
the name of that particular person upon whom he wishes to bestow that piece of 
blanket, and the expectant recipient calls out 'Ha day !' which, being interpreted, 
means 'Here!' or 'This way !' The gift is immediately passed on to him by the 
attendants. 

" Dancing forms the cfiief feature of a potlatch. Each Thlinget tribe has its own 
individual dances. At a large potlatch, where several tribes are present, all the 
tribal dances are danced. Dancing is kept np incessantly for days at a time. 

" The Thlinget dancing is decidedly ungraceful. Here is the dance for the dead, 
danced by women. A dozen or fifteen women, with their faces blackened, black silk 
handkerchiefs wound around their heads, and wearing fancy blankets, take their 
places at one end of the room, facing the audience. A shrill song in the minor key 
is struck up, something like this : ' Yah hee nay — oh-ho,' the ' nay ' and * oh-ho ' being 
prolonged. To this song the women keep time by a long swaying of the body, the 
knees Ibeing slightly bent, but the feet perfectly stationary, swaying first toward the 
right, then toward the loft. Other dances consist of raising one's self on the toea 
and coming down upon the heels with sharp, quick thumps, at the same time turning 
the body from right to left. 

" The totem pole is almost a thing of the past among the Chilcats. Just here let 
me say that the Thlinget people never at any time worshiped the totem poles. The 
totem pole is a monument erected, either dui'ingthe lifetime or after the death of au 
individual ; it is to show to the world his genealogy, achievements, and social stand- 
ing. In other words, a biograjihy carved in wood instead of printed on paper. 
These monuments are generally erected in front of houses, although totemic carv- 
iu"-s are found on the pillars and posts of houses, emblazoned upon the fronts of 
houses, and painted and carved upon boxes, and every implement and utensil. 

"The universal mode of disposing of the dead is by cremation. The cremation 
of long ago differs radically from that of to-day. Then the burning of a body was 
attended by the most cruel and revolting scenes. Now, aside from a most peculiar 
and distressing form of wailing by the mourners, the body is quietly burned, after 
which a potlach is given by the relatives of the deceased. 

" The strongest trait of the Chilcats and of all the Thlingets as well is imitative- 
ness. This faculty, coupled with the grand lever of Christianity, has done much. 
toward their acquiring tlie more simple features of civilization." 

Juneau school Xo. 1. — Teacher, D. Davies; enrollment, 25; population, whitea. 
The school has been so crowded in the little room assigned to it that arrangementa 
are under foot for the erection of a new building for the use of school No. 2, and the 
refitting of the entire present building for the use of school No. 1. With enlarged 
and improved accommodations it is exj)ected that this school will attract a larger 
number of pupils. 

Juneau school JS'o. 2. — Teacher, Elizabeth Sasman; enrollment, 65; population, 
Thlingets. The school as usual has had many newcomers who could not speak or 
understand a word of English. Juneau being the center of the gold-mining region 
of southeast Alaska, attracts native people from all sections who dock in to secure 
emjiloyment. The larger portion of these people come from villages where there 
are no schools; spending the summer in Juneau, their children are placed in school 
for the first time. Many of these beginners have mastered the chart reader and have 
reached the first reader, reading and writing quite well. The older pupils have made 
fair progress in all their studies except arithmetic, which seems to be difiicult for 
them. They excel in drawing. Considerable kindergarten work has been done 
among the small children, and with considerable success. The teacher of this school, 
in common with other teachers in that region, pleads for some law by which a more 
resrular attendance can be secured. This has for years been brought to the attention 
of Congress, but without action. 

Fort Wrangell school. — Anna R. Kelaey, teacher ; enrollment, 54 ; population, Thlin- 
gets. The teacher writes : 

"I was troubled for easy, interesting first readers. I could get Sabbath-school 
papers and easy books, as Babyland, Nursery, etc., for those in the more advanced 
readers. Rereading has a tendency to make careless readers. Swinton's readers ten 
years ago were considered good. Now I am not informed as to the best. These 
children are so apt to read without getting the idea; their entire attention is given 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1465 

to the words. Not being familiar ■with our language, it is slow work for them. One 
needs to have many amusing littlo eonversational exercises. Tho pupils memorize 
quickly, think little. I have striven hard to stimulate thought. 

"The native children aro naturally destructive; only tho most careful training, 
long continued, can overcome this. The greatest drawback to these children is tho 
irrt'gular attendance. An intelligent gentleman who has been here since IJj.S I told 
mo that with scarcely an exception tho children were not obliged to attend school 
unless they chose to do so themselves. They do not all get homo until late in Novem- 
ber or December; then in February they are starting out to hunt again. 

" The dancing interfered with the attendance tho past winter. The young children 
seven and eight years old took part, and there was more dancing in Alaska last winter 
than at any time since I came to tho Territory, in 1885. If there could be some place 
provided where these parents could leave their children when they go awaj', and 
then they were made to do so, it would do more for tho people than has ever been 
done to elevate the mass of them. 

"At Christmas I gave the children a treat of candy, nuts, and apples; also each 
one a present. February 22 the afternoon was devoted to approijriate exercises in 
which nearly all tho pupils took part. There was a good attendance of both natives 
and whites. Some interesting speeches from tho minister and civil officials, and also 
some native men added to the occasion. At the close of school we had a very satis- 
factory picnic ; some of tho whites were very generous and contributed largely. We 
had four boats, one for provisions and tho others of pupils and whites. We found 
such a delightful grassj' nook, shaded, and a little brook of cool refreshing water 
running on one side, and an abundance of flowers. Games and a swing, with plenty 
to eat, made the children very happy. Some of them were loath to leave when the 
day was over. These native children are bright and love their books; if we could 
only have them in a school. Two of the schoolgirls were marrietl during tho 
winter; I jiresumo they were not more than 15." 

Douglas school A^o. 1. — S. A. Keller ; enrollment, 30 ; population, whites. Mr. Keller 
has proved an excellent and efficient teacher, and popular with all classes of popu- 
lation. 

Douglas school Xo. 2. — James E. Connett, teacher; population, Thlingets; enroll- 
ment, 87. The school has labored under the great difficulty of being some distance 
from tho native population, and-also from tho fact that mining has been commenced 
only a few rods from the schoolhouse, the noiso of blasting rock interfering consid- 
erably with tho comfort of tho school. Notwithstanding these drawbacks tho chil- 
dren have been loyal to their teachers during the entire year. Some of them have 
completed their books in which they started at the beginning of tho year. The 
class in grammar, especially, seemed to do effective work, and the same was true of 
those in history and geograjihy. After once learning the English language the chil- 
dren make the same progress as the children of the Caucasian race. 

A serious drawback in this, as wellasiuothernative schools in Alaska, is the char- 
acter of the published schoolbooks. Take, for instance, Fuller's illustrated primer, 
which is an excellent beginner in the ordinary schools of the country, but to be of 
comjiletc service among tho native schools of Alaska it ought to be rearranged. It 
can be seen that a picture of a haying scene conveys no impression to the Alaska 
child, as this is a scene that they have never met. The primer, to be adajited to 
them, should be illustrated with scenes familiar to them in their own country. 
Tho difficulty of getting suitable text-books has been felt from the beginning in the 
school work, but tho fund available for education in Alaska has been so small that 
nothing couki be done toward securing more suitable works. 

sitl:a school Xo. 1. — Teachers, Miss Cassia Patton and Mrs. Gertrude Knapp; 
enrollment, 43; population, white. Being at the seat of government, and comjirising 
tho children of the Government officials, as well as those of tho merchants and lead- 
ing citizens, this is one of the most advanced and efficient schools in the Territory. 

Sitka school Xo. 2. — Mrs. Lena de Grott", teacher; enrollment, 110; population, 
Thlingets. The school opened on the first of September with an attendance of 65 
pupils, which increased to 110. This increase of attendance was due greatly to the 
efforts of Governor James Sheakley, who very kindly sent the native policemen 
through the village several times a week, insisting that the children should be 
sent to school. During tho year 6 of the more advanced pupils were taken into tho 
industrial training school for more advanced instruction. 

Sitka itidustrial school. — Contract; Presbyterian; population, Thlingets; enroll- 
ment, 141; boarding pupils (boys, 86; girls, 55); teachers, 19. The schoolrooms 
remained during the year in charge of Mrs. Heizer and Mrs. S. A. Saxman. The suc- 
cess of the departments has proven the excellence of their teachers. In methods 
and instruction they are abreast of the times, and in discipline they are natural and 
rational. The school is well supplied with text-books and apparatus. As in other 
industrial schools, half the day of each pupil is spent in the day school, and the other 
half at manual labor. JMr. Kelly writes : 

"In tho industrial departments I found most of tho work of the school being done 



1466 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

"by tlie pupils. The slices for the school are handmade in the shop, and regular 
custom work for the people of the town is done at the school. Bedroom furniture, 
sash, and doors are manufactured in the carpentry department under the direction of a 
competent foreman. The hakery turns out an average of 100 loaves of hread per day. 

"Much outdoor vrork is necessarily performed by the boys, such as ditching, laying 
"water and sewer pipes, grading the grounds and beautifying them. I do not approve 
of the old-time method of heating the buildings — a stove in each room. With so 
mauj' buildings, requiring in all 25 or 30 stoves, the method used is unsafe, unsatis- 
factory, and inadequate. The buildings should bo heated by steam. 

' ' The girls do the housework for the school and for the teachers. They are skillfully 
trained in all kinds of household duties. The work departments, as Avell as tho 
children's, are clean and neat in appearance. The force of teachers employed is in 
keeping with the needs of the school, there being one teacher for every ten pupils. 

"I commend the system of establishing separate homes for couples marrying from 
the school. This method is proving very successful. In a frontier country there is 
little sympathy for natives struggling to better their condition. Frontier public 
sentiment is opposed to their amelioration; hence the law is inadequate to protect 
them in their rights and in their now surroundings. The helpful, sympathetic counsel 
of those directly interested in their welfare is most essential to their ultimate 
triumph over the old customs and to a healthy and permanent ingrafting into their 
new environments and home life." 

Dr. Wilber, who is in charge of tho medical department at Sitka, with Miss Gibsou 
as trained nurse, reports : " Over 1,400 prescriptions and 50 operations in tho last half 
year. The hospital, which has been remodeled, is now quite complete in its arrange- 
ment, while its general appointments are much better than could be reasonably 
expected. Our wards, two in number, accommodate twenty beds, with room for five 
more in each room, should necessity demand such increase. There is no doubt that 
tho hospital oti'ers a powerful influence in reaching the people. Would that our 
finances were such that all might be I'eceived without distinction ! Miss Gibsou holds 
short religious services in each ward every evening, while I conduct prayers each 
morning. Some of the needs of tho hospital are a fracture bed, a set of operative 
oi^hthalmic instruments, and a set of test lenses. " 

One of tho Sitka boys who received his instructions in the mission training school 
has become very proficient in house paiuting and decorating, and is steadily employed 
at $2 per day. Of another pu])il his teacher reports: ''One of our oldest boys, who 
has been taught the carpenter's trade, brought me his work, greatly pleased. He had 
been given specifications for a two-story house, and he filled the order or bill per- 
fectly, with but one error." This young man loaves tho mission soon, having been 
there eight years, though he has only been two years studying tho carpenter's trade. 

Tho publication of tho North Star, tho little sheet sent out by tho Sitka mission, 
has been resumed. Tho paper contains items of much interest to all who are con- 
cerned for the redemi^tion of Alaska. 

INDEPENDENT MISSION SCHOOLS. 
EPISCOPALIAN. 

Fort Adams. — Protest.ant Episcopal. In the year 1891 tho Rev. Jules L. Prevost 
■was sent by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of tho Protestant Episcopal 
Church as a missionary to the Indians on the Yukon River. The field selected was 
Fort Adams. This place, at the mouth of the Tanana River, is about 850 miles from 
tho mouth of the Yukon River, and is the center of a region hundreds of miles in 
every direction without a school. The Tanana River, 800 miles iu length, has a 
population of more than 700, over one-half of whom are baptized members of the 
Episcopal Church. Near by is a valley of the Keokuk River, 800 miles long, with a 
number of Indian villages. Also iu the same vicinity is Nowikokat, a trading sta- 
tion and Indian village, where 400 natives gather in midwinter and spring, over 
two-thirds of whom are baptized members of the Church. A few hundred miles 
above Fort Adams is Fort Yukon, the center of a population of 400 natives. These 
are all baptized, and about 50 of them are communicants. They have the whole of 
the New Testament, the English Book of Common Prayer, and tho hymn book trans- 
lated and printed in their language. 

For all these places, covering an area of 100,000 square miles, St. James Mission, at 
Fort Adams, is the center. These x)eople often bring their dead from 25 to 300 miles 
to be buried at tho mission. Adults sometimes go distances of 400 miles to be 
instructed and baptized. Many of the natives, away from the mission, still live in 
underground houses, but at tho mission they have built good log houses, with win- 
dows, doors, and floors. Each one of these houses is heated with a stove and fur- 
nished with rudely constructed chairs, tables, bedsteads, closets, dishes, clocks, 
washtubs, and boards, with pictures upon the walls. One family has a wringing 
machine and another a sewing machine. 

Mr. Provost, in this far-northern region, has established a printing office and begun 
the publication of a journal called the Yukon Press. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 14G7 

Point JTope Misulon school. — Protestant Episcopal; population, Eskimo; teacher, 
John r>. Driggs, M. D. The ^vo^k is gradually making i)rogr<'ss, but the shifting 
character of tlio population, going liero and thoro to secure suitport, makes the edu- 
cation of the children a dillieult ])rohlem to deal Avith. There are so many -who go 
away each year that, although the teacher retains the scholars Avho have remained 
in tlio village, each fall it is almost like beginning over again. When the time 
conies in which schools are kept at the leading villages the children will have school 
advantages wlierever they may bo located lor the time being. The dailj^ average 
and number of pupils was about the same as last year. 

In addition to the demands of the schoolroom. Dr. Driggs gave out books to the 
few men living around the station who were desirous of learning but were too far 
away to enroll their names as pupils of the mission. This seemed to be greatly 
appreciated by them, and they gave evidence of progress. 

The pupils, when they leave lor whaling, are very fond of writing notes to the 
teacher, which he encourages. 

On tho 13th of October last, through a very severe blizzard, the sea broke over 
the site of tho village, driving natives from their houses and submerging the lirst 
floor of the school building. After remaining away a week, the teacher returned to 
Ills house only to be again driven away by the sea to repeat his former exijcrieuceof 

fi- -— ■ — — ■ -: ■ — 3 






Saint James Mission, Fort Adamg, Alaska. 

dodging the waves and wading some distance through ice water and slush as ho 
sought a place of safety on the hills, where he was compelled to live in a brush- 
wood shelter on uncocd^ed, frozen lish for two or three weeks, until the storm had 
sufficiently abated for him to return to his house. 

One of his pupils, a young woman who had taken refuge upon a cliff, is supposed 
to have been blown off iuto the ocean, as no trace of her has since been found. The 
experience of the past fall has led to the recommendation to remove the mission 
building some 300 yards farther inland. 

During .July and August, 1893, Point Hope was visited by a terrible epidemic of 
capillary bronchitis. Dr. Driggs ministered to 25 in one afternoon. Going through 
the vilhige one afternoon he found an old man dying out in the rain. The family 
had taken him out so that ho should not die in the house. Close by, under a tent 
cloth, was a dead woman. XTnder an adjoining cloth, hearing a moan and lifting up 
the cloth, found a sick child clinging to its dead mother. There were 5 dead in that 
group. Three-fourths of the adult population were sick and one out of every six 
died. There were not sufiicient well iiersons in the village to bury the dead, ami the 
corpses were left outside of the houses to be eaten by the dogs of the village. Their 
bones are still seen scattered through the Aillage or whitening iu the stagnant pools 
from which the people procure their drinking water. 

A white man living iu the village with a native wife says that during the time of 



1468 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

the epidemic he was disturbed for several nights by a noise around his house. Think- 
ing that it was a dog prowling around for something to eat he got up, and, arming 
himself with a club, went out to investigate. In place of a dog he found a little 
four-year-old boy picking up scraps of shoe leather and seal skin to eat. Upon see- 
iug tiie man the child fled home. He was followed, and found to be, with his little 
brother, the only living occupants of the hut. But in the same room lay the corpses 
of father and mother aud the maternal grandfather. The man took the boys to his 
own home. 

The number of pupils enrolled during the year was 54, and the average daily 
attendance 38. Tlie school was in session one hundred and sixty-one days. The 
principal instruction given was in reading, translating, arithmetic, and writing. 
Some attention was given also to geography and drawing. 

Anvik school. — Mission; Protestant Episcopal Church; Eev. J. W. Chapman in 
charge; populatiou, Thlingets. This mission during the year has been in charge of 
the wliite assistant, Mr. Chapman having returned to the States for additional help. 
Miss Mary V. Gleuton, M. D., has been appointed medical missionary, and Miss Ber- 
tha W. Sabine teacher ; they will go up in company with JNIr. and Mrs. Chapman 
during the summer. This will give an impetus to the work at that station. 

ROMAN CATHOLICS. 

In addition to the school at Koserefski, carried on with assistance from the Gov- 
ernment, the Roman Catholic Church has small schools at Nulato, Cape Vancouver, 
and Juueau, from which no reports have been received. 

SWEDISH EVANGELICAL VNION. 

The Swedes have established a good school at Golovin Bay, Alaska. This is in 
addition to their contract schools at Unalaklik and Yakutat. 

MORAVIANS. 

The Moravians sustain a school at Ugavig, Kuskokwim River, as well as the con- 
tract schools at Bethel and Carmel. 

BAPTISTS. 

Wood Island school. — Baptist mission; teachers, W. E. Roscoe aud wife and Miss 
C. C. Currant; enrollment, 30; jjopulation, Russian Creole. During the spring and 
summer of 1893 the ladies connected with the Woman's American Baptist Home 
Missionary Society erected a large two-story building at Wood Island as an orphan- 
age. This orphanage was completed and opened upon the 4th of July, 1893. It is 
a house of refuge aud of hope, and the one bright light in all that section of igno- 
rance, immorality, and superstition; the only place in all that region where the ris- 
ing generation can be taught the beauty, purity, and value of a Christian home. 

A lew sample cases from the diary of' Mr. Roscoe will give a more vivid impression 
of the character of the work of educating and civilizing the population, and the 
self-denial and heroism of the missionaries engaged. 

Last fall Willie Schmakof, whose father was dead, and mother too poor to support 
him, was taken to the orphanage ; the mother made out regular papers of indenture, 
duly signed and attested, until the child should be of age. Mr. Roscoe, in behalf 
of the W^omau's Missionary Society of the Baptist Church, obligated himself and 
society to supply the boy with comfortable clothing, lodging, aud food, and give 
him a good common school education. The Russian Greek priest, through the grand- 
mother of the boy, who, by the way, lived 600 miles away, went before J udge Rogers, 
United States commissioner at Sitka, and asked that the boy should be removed 
from the care of the school. The judge, ignoring the legal papers placing the child 
in the custody of the school, took him away from the school aud from his mother 
and gave him into the custody of his grandmother. It is true that the mother gets 
drunk and is immoral, but it was not on that acconut the mother's authority was 
set aside, as she was privately iuformed that after the boy was taken out of the 
school she could have him again. The whole move was to remove the child from a 
good school, which was done. The boy was taken from the school by a United 
States deputy marshal and turned loose on the streets, where he often goes hungry 
aud in rags, and is living in filth and dirt and is growing up a hoodlum. The mother 
of the boy sent in a written remonstrance against this outrage of the court. A remon- 
strance was also drawn up and signed by all the white men at W^ood Island and Kadiak. 

Last season a widow woman (Russian Creole) with three children came from 
Nuchek to W^ood Island with the hope of getting sufficient washing to support her- 
self and children, but she was rapidly dying of cousnmptiou and had no strength 
to wash ; her own people refused to take her into their houses, and in desperation, 
not knowing which way to turn, she applied to the Baptist orphanage. Mr. Roscoe 
took her three children into the home aud then found a place for the dying mother, 
he and the agent of the trading company sharing the expense of supporting the 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



1469 



woman until sho died. The three children, through inherited scrofula and from 
impoverished blood from want of proper care, clothing, and sufficient food, were a 
mass of sores and running ulcers from head to foot. These children were nursed by 
Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe as tenderly as if they were their own ; the offensive sores were 
dressed and the children doetored until their sores were largely healed, and they 
are becoming healthy and vigorous; and now the Russian Greekpriest, who would 
do nothing to help the dying mother and starving children, is very active in trying 
to get the children out of the home and force them back to their former miserable 
condition. This priest has since been removed by the bishop. 

A mother died, leaving a young babe. The father, unable to properly care for it, 
and being compelled to go off hunting work for a living, intrusted the babe to some 
of the relatives of the mother, but like so many others of that class of people, they 
had their occasional spells of drinking and carousals. Upon returning home the 
father found his child in a dying condition, and, through neglect, covered with sores 
and ulcers. The sixteen-months-old babe was taken by Mr. Roscoe and ])laced in. 
the homo where it was a very great care, but through judicious treatment and con- 
stant attention it is becoming healthy and is doing well. 

Last winter a man at Unga was accidentally shot while hunting and his family 
was left entirely destitute ; the widow, unable to clothe and feed her three little chil- 
dren, sent the two older ones to Mr. Roscoe and wanted to send her babe also, but ifc 
was too young to be received. 

Two boys, hoodlums, were sent there from Unga, both covered with sores ; the leg 
of one was swollen to double its normal size, ancl the ulcers discharged a cupfull at 
a time. Both these offensive cases were treated and relieved by Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe. 

A boy received from Dutch Harbor was so covered with sores and ulcers from head 
to foot that his limbs and body had to be bandaged; these bandages were changed 
every twenty-four hours, and in order to get the old bandages oft" it was necessary to 
put the boy in a bath tub and soak them off; his condition was so offensive that he 
had to be kei)t in a room by himself. Under the treatment of Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe 
his sores are healing up and his ffesh commences to show a healthy condition. 

Two small boys were left orphans and were cared for by a white man who was 
their uncle. After a while he made out papers transferring the children to the 
orphanage until they should become 18 years of age. A drunken relative of the boys' 
deceased mother made so bitter a fight that the boya have so far been prevented from 
entering the home where they would be well clothed and properly educated, but are 
left to run wild, with insufficient clothing, and almost constantly hungry. 

PRESBYTERIAXS. 

In addition to the industrial training school at Sitka the Presbyterians have suc- 
cessful boarding and homo schools at Haines, Juneau, and Jackson. No reports. 
Haines has 4 missionaries, Juneau 5, and .Jackson 5. 

FRIENDS. 

The Friends have boarding and home schools at Douglass and Kake. No reports. 
Statistics of education in Alaska. 





Enrollment. 




Public schools. 


to 

00 


3 

00 

00 


00 

00 
00 


00 

00 


d 

00 


C5 

s 




8 

cs 

00 


1 


Teachers in 

the public schools, 

1893-94. 




(*) 
(t) 
(t) 

50 

8-1 
87 
96 
0) 

{*) 
(t) 
(*) 
(*) 

43 

77 
(t) 


35 
(t) 
(t) 
106 
43 
123 
236 
(t) 
59 
(t) 
125 
184 

60 

138 
35 


24 

67 

(t) 

106 

144 

110 

25 

67 

81 

(t) 

44 

81 

60 

60 
26 


55 
94 
(t) 
90 
128 
105 
36 
58 
68 
(t) 
90 
75 

67 

51 
(t) 


38 
50 
92 
83 
(t) 
87 
31 
51 
67 
(t) 
32 
68 

58 

83 
24 


37 
23 
68 
93 
(t) 
100 
33 
51 
80 
33 
68 
50 

54 
55 

(t) 


35 
25 
24 
49 
89 
100 
26 
75 
69 
29 
33 
38 

59 

54 
33 


40 
13 

108 
49 
54 
82 
23 
61 
74 
(t) 

137 
(t) 
50 

48 
35 


38 
30 
87 
54 
41 
90 
25 
65 
59 
(t) 
75 
(t) 
43 

110 
36 
24 
30 


Mra. C. M. Colwell. 




S. A. Keller. 




J. E. Connptt. 




Miss A. R. Kelsey. 
W. W. Warne. 






Mrs. C. G. McLeod. 












C. C. Solter. 


Karluk 






L. F. Jones. 






Sitka, No. 1 


^Miss C. Patton. 
<Mr8. G. Knapp. 
Mrs. L. Vanderbilt. 


Sitka, No. 2 




O. R. McKinney. 
J. A. Tuck. 






(t) 


(t) 


(t) 


(t) 


(t) 


(t) 


(f) 


» 


W. T. Lopp. 





■ EroUment not known. 



t No school. 



1470 



EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 



Statistics of Education in Alaska — Continued. 



Contract schools. 



Anvik 

Poiut Hope 

Metlakahtla 

Bethel 

Carniel 

Hoonah 

Sitka industrial school 

Point Barrow 

TJnalaska 

Kulato 

Eosorefski 

Capo Vancouver 

Cape Prince of Wales. 

"Unalaklik ) 

Yakutat 5 



Expended by Government. 



(*) 

C) 
500 
300 

(*) 

(*) 

{*) 

(*) 

(*) 

(*) 

(*) 

(*) 

(*) 



$1, 000 

(*) 

2,500 
1,000 
1,000 
(*) 
12, 500 
(*) 
(*) 
(*) 
(*) 
(*) 
(*) 

(*) 



$1, 000 
1,000 
3,000 
1,000 
1,000 

(*) 

18,000 
1,000 
1,200 
1,500 
1,500 
(*) 
1,000 

(*) 



$1, 000 
2,000 
3,000 
1,000 
1,000 
200 

15, 000 
2,000 
2,000 

I 3, 050 

(*) 
2,000 

(*) 



$1, 000 
2,000 
2, 500 
1,000 
1,000 
2,000 

11, 000 
2, 000 
2,000 

S 1, 000 

\ 1, 000 
1,000 
2,000 

1,000 




Denomination. 



^Episcopal. 
Independent. 
Moravian. 



Presbyterian. 

Methodist. 

Catholic. 

Consregatinnal. 
s Swedish Evangeli- 
I cal. 



* Xo school or no subsidy. 
Appropriations for education in Alaska. 

First grant to establish schools, 1884 $25, 000 

Annual grants, school year — 

1886-87 15,000 

1887-88 25,000 

1888-89 40,000 

1889-90 50,000 

1890-91 50,000 

1891-92 50,000 

1892-93 40,000 

1893-94 - 30, 000 

1894-95 30,000 

PEKSOXXEL, SALAPaES, ETC. 

General agent of education for Alaska, Dr. Sheldon Jackaon, Alaska, $1,200 ; assist- 
ant agent of education for Alaska, "William Hamilton, Pennsylvania, $1,200; superin- 
tendent of schools for the southeastern district, William A. Kelly, Pennsylvania, $480. 

LOCAL SCHOOL COMMITTEES (WITHOUT SALARY). 

Sitka, Edward de Groii', Charles D. Rodgers, John G. Brady ; Juneau, Karl Koehler, 
John G. Held; Douglas, P. II. Fox, Albert Anderson; AVrangel, Thomas A. Willson, 
Finis Cagle, W. G. Thomas; Jackson, W. D. McLeod, G. Loomis Gould; Metlakahtla, 
W. Duncan, D. J. Leask; Kadiak, N. Kashevaroif, F. Sargent, H. P. Cope; Unga, 
C. M. Dederick, M. Dowd, George Levitt; Unalaska, L. R. Woodward, N. B. Anthony. 

Teachers of puhlic schools, 1S93-D4. 



Name. 



Public schools. 



Mrs. C. M. ColvrcU Afognali 

S. A. Keller 

J. E. Counett • 

Miss A. R. Kelsey ■ 

W. W.Warne 

Mrs. C. G. McLeod ■ 

D. Davies 

Miss E. Saxman - - - • 

C. C. Solter ■ 



Douiilas City, No. I. 

Douglas City, No. 2. 

FortWrangel, 

Haines. 

Jackson. 

Juneau, No. 1. 

Juneau, No. 2. 

Kadiak. 
(Karluk. 

L. r. Jones j?Kil lisnoo. 

(Klawack. 

MissC.Pattou llsitka,No.l. 

Mrs. G. Knapp \S 

Mrs. L. Vanderbilt Sitka, No. 2. 

O. Pt. McKinney Unga. 

J. A. Tuck KUualaska. 

Anna Eulcomer \S 

W. T. Lopp I Port Clarence. 





Rev. J. Loomis Gould. 



S. A. Saxmau. 




Rev. Eugene S. Willard. William A. Kelly. 

Teachers, Southeast Alaska. 



REPORT OX EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1471 

TEACHERS AND EMPLOYEES IX CONTKACT SCHOOLS. 

Meilaliahila. — Willinm Duncan, Mr. mid Mrs. E. W. Wecsuer. 

Bcihd. — John II. Kilbuck, JNIrs. J. II. Kilbnck, Hcnjauiin Ilelmick, jNIrs. B. Ilelniick, 
Miss M;iry ]\l;u'k, and (ieorge Nokocbluk (native). 

Vnrmci. — F. E. Wolff, Mrs. F. E. Wolff, Johu Sehveclicrt, Mrs. J. Schvecbert, Miss 
Mary Iluhor, and Miss Emma Hnber. 

Sitka Ivditsiiial Training School. — Rev. L. F. .Tones, Rev. A. E. Austin, R. A. Clarke, 
Miss Nellie Covert, ]\Irs. A. E. Austin, Mrs. Margaret C. AVade, Miss Ilattie E. AVeaver, 
Mrs. Matilda K. Paul (native), Mrs. Ella C. lloizer, jNIrs. Margaret A. Saxmau, Mrs. 
Sadie L. Wallace, Miss Essie Gibson, A. T. Simson, I\Irs. A. T. Simson, ,1. A. Shields, 
John E. Camble, Willie Wells (native). B. K. AVilbur, M. D., Mrs. Adelia H. Carter, 
U. P. Shull. 

Hoonalu — Rev. John W. McFarlaud, Mrs. J. W. McFarland, and Mrs. Mary E. 
Howell. 

ro'vnt Barroiv. — T. E. Beanpre, M. D. 

Koserefsld. — Holy Cross boarding school; superintendent, Rev. P. Tosi; assistants, 
Revs. A. Robant, Fr. Barnnni, Fr. Monroe; industrial teachers, Marchisio, J. T. Sul- 
livan, .1. Negro, and nine sisters. 

Vnalallik. — Rev, A. E, Karlsou, Mr. David Johnson, Miss Hanua Sveuson, Miss Mal- 
vin.a .Johnson. 

Takutat. — Rev. A. J. Heudrickson, Rev. Albin .Johnson, Mrs. Albiu Johnson, Miss 
Selma Peterson. 

TEACHERS IN PRIVATE AND CHURCH SCHOOLS. 

Pouif Hope (Protestant Episcopal). — J. B. Driggs, M. D. 

Anvlk (Protestant Episcopal). — Rev. J. AA^. Chapman, Mrs. J. AA". Cbajiman, Miss 
Mary A^ Glenton, M. D., Miss Bertha AV. Sabine. 

Fort Adama. — Rev. J. L. Prevost. 

Golovin Bail (Swedish Evangelical). — Roa'. August Anderson, Rev. N. O. Hultberg, 
Mrs. N. O. Hultberg, IMr. Frank Kanieroff' (native assistant). 

NuJato (Roman Catholic). — St. Peter Clavcr day school; Rev. AA'illiam Judge, super- 
intendent; assistants, Rev. A. Ragaru, C. Giorano, and J. Rosati. 

Cape Vaiicouver (Roman Catholic.) — Rev. J. Treca and Rev. A. Parodi; assistants, 
B. Cunningham and J. Twoliig. 

Uf/avig (Moravian). — Rev. Ernest L. AA'eber, Mrs. E. L. AA'eber, Miss Philippone 
Ring; David Skuviuk (native assistant teacher). 

Vood Island (Baptist^. — Rev. AA'esley E. Roscoe, Mrs. AA". E. Roscoe, Miss C. C. Cur- 
rant. 

Dour/las (Friends). — J. E. Connett, M. D., Charles N. Reploge, Mrs. C. N. Rejiloge, 
and Svbil Hanson. 

Kake (Friends). — Silas E. Moon, Mrs. S. E. Moon. 

Haines (Presbyterian). — Rev. AV. AA". AVarue, Miss Frances H. AA'^illard, Miss Anna 
May Sheets, Miss Mary A. Cadenhead. 

J'ort Wrangel (Presbyterian). — Rev. Clarence Thwiug, Mrs. Clannce Thwing. 

Jackson (Presbyterian). — Rev. J. Loomis Gould, Mrs. R. R. Gould, Miss Mollie E. 
Gould, Mrs. A. R. McFarland, Miss Christeaua Baker, Frank P. Loomis, Mrs. Frank P. 
Loomis. 

Jnncau (Presbyterian). — Rev. S. IT. King, Rev. E. S. AA"illard, Miss Susan Davis, Miss 
Bessie L. Matthews, Miss Mollie E. Gould, Miss Etta R. Berk, Mrs. E. S. AA'illard. 

ITINERARY. 

Leaving AVasliiugton City on the 16th of April, I reached San Francisco on the 
24th. Alter arranging for the transportation of the Lap colony to the reindeer 
station in Alaska, and also of the supplies for that station, 1 left San Francisco on 
the evening of the 25th and joined the United States revenue-cutter Bear at Seattle, 
AVash., on the 2(Sth. Under instructions Irom AVashington, the Jiear got under way 
for Sitka on the .")th of May. The tri]) up the coast was a rough and stormy one; 
snow squalls were encountered almost every day. On the morning of May 10, off 
Dixon's Entrance, in a driving snowstorm, the gale became so severe as to split the 
fore-staysail, carry away the grips of the third cutter, and deluge the galley with 
■water. At the same time the wheel ropes parted and the ship had to'lie to; the 
sea was so rough that no attempt was made to set the table iu the captain's cabin, but 
we took our meals in our hands in the pilot house as best we could. 

Dixon's Entrance was named for Capt. George Dixon, commanding the English 
ship Queen Charlotte, which visited this region between 1775-76. The straits, how- 
ever, had l)eeu discovered by Capt. Juan I'ercz, of the Spanish ex])edition of 1771. 
The lirst white man to navigate these waters was Captain Douglass, in the Iphigenia, 
iu 1789. These waters mark the boundary line between British Columbia and Alaska. 



1472 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

Crossing the month of Dixon's Entrance, we were again in American waters — in 
Alaska — the region of the celebrated exploring expeditions of a century ago. 

In 1741 Vitus Bering, in the St. Peter, reached as far eastward along the coast of 
Alaska as Kayak Island and looked upon the glories of Mount St. Elias. The same 
season his second in command, Alexei Chirikof, in the St. Paul, reached the region 
of Sitka and Cape Priuce of Wales Island. The discoveries of Bering and Chiri.kof 
together with their report of the abundance of furs, set the merchants of Siberia 
wild with excitement. As in later days, there was a rush to the newly discovered 
gold fields of California, so m Siberia more than sixty companies were organized 
to gather in the harvest of furs. Unwilling to await the proper construction of sea- 
going vessels, flatboats and small schooners were hastily constructed oi hewn planks 
lashed together with raw-hide thongs — vessels that would lloat in fair weather but 
were unable to hold together in storms. In these frail crafts expedition after expe- 
dition followed one another in rapid succession and the half of them were lost, but 
those that did return in safety with a fair cargo divided profits of from $1,500 to 
$3,000 per man. 

In the eager search for furs new sections were visited, until the whole southern 
coast from Attou to Sitka became known. Among these early adventurers were 
Capt. Emilian Bassof, 1743 (the first white man to laud on the island of Attou) 
Mikhail Nevodchikof, 1745; Andrei Tolstykh, 1747; Nicofor Trapezuikof, 1749; Emil 
iau Yugof, 1750; Peter Bashnakf, Feodor Kholodilof, and Simeon Krassilnikof, 1753 
Radion Durnef, 1755; Andrei Tolfstykh, 1756; Ivan Shilkin, 1757; Stepan Glotlof, 
Demetri Paikof, 1758; Gerassim Pribylof, Grigor Shelikof, Alexander Baranof, Las- 
tochkiu Lebedef, Ferdinand P. Wrangell, and hundreds of others of lesser note. 
These trading expeditious were supplemented by explorations under the auspices of 
the Russian Government and Russian-American companies. 

In 1778 the Trekh SviaHteli, in commanjd of Masters Ismailof and Bocharof of the 
Imperial navy, was dispatched by Shelikof in search of new lands to the eastward 
of Kadiak. Capt. Joseph Billings, commanding the Slava Eossie {Glory of Russia), 
was sent in 1790 on a secret "Astronomical and geographical expedition for navigat- 
ing the frozen sea, describing its coasts, and ascertaining the situation of the islands 
in the seas between the two continents of Asia and America." 

On the 7th of August, 1803, Lieutenant Krusenstern, in the Nadeshda, and Uri 
Lisiansky, in the Xeva, sailed from Kronstadt with a party of scientists (among them 
being the naturalist, Langsdorf), a force of shipwrights and skilled workmen for 
shipbuilding, supplies of charts, instruments, and nautical works. In April, 1804, 
the two ships rounded Cape Horn. In June they visited the Sandwich Islands, wBere 
they separated, the Xadeshda proceeding to Petropavlovsk in Kamchatka, and Cap- 
tain Lisiansky in the Neva continuing on to Alaska, arriving at Kadiak on the 13th 
of July, 1804, the iirst Russian expedition to visit Alaska around Cape Horn. 

Otto von Kotzebue, commanding the brig liurik, sailed from Petropavlovsk in the 
summer of 1816 in search of a "northwest passage," He was accompanied by the 
scientists, Chamisso and Wormskloid, Dr. Escholtz, and Artist Choris, Passing 
through Bering Strait and discovering a large inlet to the eastward, he rejoiced to 
believe that he had found the long-looked- for passage. On August 1, 1816, he entered 
the new sound with the liurik only to find a few days later his mistake. 

In 1822 Captains Khramchenco and Etholin, and Master Vassilaief, in the brig 
GoJornin, and schooner Baranof, made a detailed survey of the Alaska coast of 
Bering Sea from Bristol Bay to the mouth of the Kuekokwim, and from St. Michael to 
Golovin Sound. 

In 1827 Capt. Feodor P. Liitke, by directions of the Russian Government, made a 
careful survey of the northern coast of the Alaska Peninsula. 

In 1828 Captain Hagemeister, in the Krotky, and Captain Staninkovich, in the 
MiJller, made important surveys on the coast of Bering Sea. 

In 1828 Master Vassilaief, accompanied by Alexander Kolmakof, a creole, crossed 
the Alaska Peninsula frem Shelikof Straits via the lakes to the Kuskokwim River. 
During this expedition Kolmakof selected the site of a trading post, which was built 
in 1831, and in 1841 a redoubt named after him was built near the junction of the 
Kuskokwim and Kvigin rivers. 

In 1830 Midshipman Etholin was placed in command of the brig Chicagof and sent 
to explore Norton Bay, Sledge, King, and St. Lawrence islands. Upon his return he 
advised the establishment of a station on Stuart Island (St. Michael). 

In 1833 Lieutenant Tebenkof was sent in the sloop Ourupa to establish a trading 
post on Norton Sound and make explorations inland. The new post was named 
Mikhaielovsk. The inland explorations were committed to Andrei Glazanof, a creole. 
The party, with three native guides, and two sleds, each drawn by five dogs, set out 
on the 30th of December, 1833, and after great hardships reached as far as Anvik on 
the Yukon River, and Pafnagamnte on the Kuskokwim River. 

In 1838 Alexander Kashevarof, a Kadiak creole, was sent to explore the Arctic 
coast. Being landed from the brig Polyfem, he continued northward m five three- 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1473 

holed hidarlv.aa, reaoliinp: within 100 miles of Cape Beechey. The same year Vaesili 
Malakliol explored the Yukon as far north as Nulato, where he hnilt a block house. 
In 1842 Lieutenant Zagoskin, of the Imperial navy, explored the Kuskokwim and 
Yukon rivers and their tributaries. 

The rapid extension of the Russian occupation of the American coast from 1743 to 
1800 attra( ted the attention and excited tlie jealousy of other European nations, and 
especially of Sj>aiu, who lodged upon Russian enroachmeuts in the north as imperil- 
ing her interests in California. Consequently, in 1774, Capt. Juan Perez, commanding 
the Sa»tia(jo was ordered to cruise on the North Pacific coast and take possession of 
new lands in the name of Spain. He reached as far north as Dixon's Entrance. The 
next year he was followed by Lieut. Juan Francisco do Bodega y Cuadrainthe Senora, 
reaching the Cross Sound. On the shores of Salisbury and BucaroUi sounds wooden 
cros.ses were erected as notification of Spanish claims. 

In 1779 Lieut. Ignacio Artoga, commanding the Princesa and Favorita, under orders 
from Spain, sailed from San Bias February 11, and went westward as far as Cooks 
Inlet, at Nuchek, taking formal possession of the country. 

•In 1791 Alejandro Malaspina, commanding the corvettes Descuhierta and the Atre- 
vida, sailed May 1 from Acapulco for Prince William Sound in search of the North- 
west Passage and new lands for the Crown. In 178S an expedition in command of 
Alferez Eslevan .Jose Martinez, consisting of the Fragata Frincesa and the Paquehot 
Sail Carlos, in command of Pilot Gonzalo Lopez, was sent along the coast to the 
Aleutian Islands. And in 1790 Lieut. Salvador Fidalgo, in the Paquehot Filipinay 
visited Prince William Sound and Cooks Inlet. 

England, then as now, wide awake for colonial extension, followed the example of 
Spain and sent, in 1778, two years after the second Spanish expedition, Capt. James 
Cook, commanding the Resolution and the Discovery, and five years later the Discovery 
and the Chatham, in the command of Capt. Geoi-ge Vancouver ; then in the present cen- 
tury, in search of Sir John Franklin, the expedition of the ship Blossom in 1825-1828, 
Capt. F. W. Beechey commanding, and in 1836-1842 the expedition of Capt. Edward 
Belcher. 

Supplementing the Government explorations Avere the English trading expeditions 
of Capt. George Dixon in the Queen Charlotte, and Capt. Nathaniel Poetlock in the 
Eing George in 1786; Captain Ilutchius in the Prince of Wales in 1787, and Capt. John 
Mears in the Nootka in 1789. 

In 1786 France sent out an expedition consisting of the two frigates, Astrolabe and 
Boussole, in command of Capt. J. G. F. de la Perouse, and in 1791 Capt. Etienne Mar- 
chand, commanding the Solide. 

In 1790 the Swedish Government sent to the Aleutian Islands the cruiser Mercury 
in charge of Captain Coxe. 

American trading vessels were visiting Alaska prior to 178.5, but no Government 
exploration was undertaken by the United States until Commander John Roger's 
expedition around the world in 1854-55, and of the Aleutian Islands in 1856 by the 
United States schooner Fenimore Cooper, in charge of Lieutenant Gibson, United 
States Navy. ; 

Returning to Dixon's Entrance, the extreme southwestern point of the Alexandrian 
Archipelago, which we are entering, is Cape Mazou, near to which, on Kaigahuee 
Straits, is Jackson, a mission station of the Presbyterian Church to the Haidai tribe. 
Here in 1881 I established a mission school with Mr, J. E. Chapman as lay teacher. 
In 1882 he was replaced by Rev. J. Looniis Gould and family, who have faithfully 
held the fort until the present. Mr. Gould has built up a church of 90 members, and 
Mrs. A. R. McFarland, under the auspices of the Woman's Executive Committee of 
Home Missions, a mission home. The day school established by the church in 1881 
was, in 1885, turned over to the Government. 

Steaming northward along the bleak and snow-covered mountains of Prince of 
"Wales Island, we pass the small outlying Forrester Island, named in 1774 by Perez 
as Santa Christina, and by Cuadra as San Bias. Wolf Rock Island and Cape Bar- 
tolome are reached all unseen in the storm, and we are off Bucareli, which, with 
Kasaan Bay, almost cuts Prince of Wales Island in two. This large sound seems to 
have been a favorite with the early Spanish exploring parties. On the 24th of 
August, 1775, the expedition under Cuadra, being greatly impressed with the loca- 
tion and character of the sound, sent a party on shore, who, after erecting a large 
wooden cross and celebrating a solemn high mass, took possession for Spain with 
waving banners and discharge of musketry. The waters were called Bucareli Sound. 

In 1779 Lieutenant Artega visited the sound and repeated the solemnities of taking 
possession. In connection with Cuadra, who was second in command, they made a 
complete survey of the sound, which survey is the best that has thus far been made. 
This accounts for the Spanish nomenclature on the charts. The next visit of the 
Spanish was in 1792, when Lieut. Jacinto Caamano in the frigate Aransazu, came 
searching for the Northwest Passage. i 

In the northeast corner of the sound is the small fishiug statioa of Klivwak, Here 

ED di 93 



1474 EDUCATION ftEPORT, 1893-94. 

in 1888 I established a scliool with Eer. L. "\V. Cnrrie as teacher. The first -winter 
the school was kept at the native village of Tuxikau in a native honse, Mr. Cnrrie 
and family occupying a portion of the room curtained off -with di'illiug, the owner 
another portion, and the school and church the center. The following summer they 
removed to Klawak, where a .school and teacher's residence were built. 

Passing along the seavi'ard side of Iphigenia Bay at 11.20 a. m., we were off Coro- 
nation Island. We were also off the mouth of Sumner Straits, at the eastern end of 
which is the village of Fort Wrangell with its Government school and Presbyterian 
mission. Passing Christina Sound and the Hazy Islands, we were soon abreast of 
Cape Ommaney, the southeruniost point of Baranof Island. This island is about 
85 miles from north to south, and about 20 miles wide. At 7.30 p. m. we made Biorka 
Island, at the southern mouth of Sitka Sound. At 9.50, it being too foggy to attempt 
to make the harbor, the steamer stood oft" and on until morning. At 1.30 a. m., the 
Bear stood in for Sitka Sound, and at 3.20 a. m. hauled up between Cape Edgecumbe 
and Biorka Island. 

Cape Edgecumbe is the southwestern point of Kruzof Island, This island is noted 
for the extinct volcano of Edgecumbe at its southern end, Cuadra in 1 775 named the 
cape Cabo deEngano, and the mountain San Jacinto. These names were changed in 
1778 by Captain Dixon to the present name of Edgecumbe. The Tchinkitanc of the 
natives, the Baj-a de Gaudalupa of the Spaniards, and the Norfolk Sound of Captain 
Dixon is now known as Sitka Sound. 

Just over Biorka, to the eastward a few miles, is a group of hot and cold sulphur 
and iron springs. The waters are impregnated with sulphur, iron, manganese, and 
chlorine, 97 per cent being sulphur. During the Russian occupation a small hospital 
was established and maintained at the springs for the treatment of skin diseases. 

At 5 a. m. we were oft' Vitskari Island, and at 6.25 a. m. dropped anchor in Sitka 
Harbor in front of the Presbyterian mission. The harbor of Sitka, with its large 
number of islands and islets, is one of surpassing beauty, and forms one of the most 
picturesque and attractive locations for a town in the United States. 

In the closing years of the eighteenth century, it being found that the fur-bearing 
animals of western Alaska were rapidly decreasing in number, the attention of 
Baranof was directed to the new sources of suprily in southeastern Alaska. About 
the same time the Hudson Bay Company was exteutling its operations eastward across 
the continent to the coast, and American ships had discovered the profitable fur trade 
of the same region. Baranof, to extend his trade, hedge oft" the English, and place 
himself in easy communication with the American vessels, from whom he could pro- 
cure breadstuffa and other supplies, determined to establish a settlement in the Alex- 
ander Archipelago. After a long period of preparation he set sail on the 10th of April, 
1799, from Kadiak in the brig Elizaveta and sloop Konsianiin with 22 Russians and 
from 500 to 600 Aleutes, with 200 canoes. At Nutchek he was joined by Kuskof with 
from 300 to 400 Aleutes and 150 canoes. Rounding Cape Suckling 60 men were lost by 
the caiisizing of the boats, and soon after a number of others were killed in a night 
attack of the natives. However, on the 25tli of May, in a driving storm of sleet and 
snow, the mountains covered with snow to the water's edge, the expedition reached 
Sitka Sound and effected a landing at Bay of Starri Gavan, 6 miles north of the present 
site of Sitka. 

Negotiations were entered into with Katliau, who seemed to bo the leading Sitka 
chief, and the land for a settlement was purchased of him for some beads. Keepiug 
one-half of the force at hunting sea otters, the other half was set to work on the 
buildings, and soon the sound of axes and the crash of falling trees proclaimed the 
commencement of civilization in that region. The jjlace consisted of 6 buildings, a 
stockade, and 3 fortified blockhouses, and was named I'ort Archangel Michael. In 
the spring of 1800 the force numbered 25 Russians and 56 Aleut men, besides women 
and children. At the time of Baranof's landing the American ship Caroline, of Bos- 
ton, Captain Cleveland commanding, was at anchor a few miles oft", trading for sea- 
otter skins with the natives. Having established the Sitka settlement, Baranof 
returned to Kadiak in the fall of 1800, leaving Vassili Medvednikof in command. 
i "With the chief factor absent, and no doubt more or less oppression on the part of 
the Russians, the natives bided their time. In the spring of 1802 they gathered the 
warriors from all the surrounding tribes, and on a Sunday in June, when a majority 
of the Russians and Aleutes were oft" huntiug and fishing, they made an attack on the 
new settlement, which was c[uickly taken and burned to the ground ; then attacking 
the outside hunting parties, killed them oft' in detail, but 3 Russians and 2 Aleutes 
escaping to the Avoods. A few days later these were found and taken on board the 
Unicorn, an English ship, under Captain Barber, which was in the vicinity trading. 
Soon after another English ship and an American trading ship arrived. By detain- 
ing the native chief and others on board shii> and threatening to hang them, 18 
women were ransom^fl, making 23 in all that were saved. These were taken to 
Kadiak by Captain Barber. 

The destruction of Fort Archangel Michael was a heavy blow to Baranof, but he 
was so occupied with other sections that it was not until the spring of 1804 that he 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1475 

•vras able to set out to rocstablish his settlement in Sitka Sound. In March, lSi04, 
Earauof rcceivcil word that iho Emperor h.ul raised liim to tho nobility, creating 
Lim a "Collegiato councilor." This new mark of Iho Emperor's appreciation of iiia 
work affected him to tears, but with tho memory of Sitka ever upon his mind he 
exclaimed: "I am a nobleman, but Sitka is lost. I do not care to live. I will go 
and either die or restore the possessions of my august bcnelactor." 

Having comploted his arrangements on tho 2d of April, Baranof sent forward two 
ships, in command of Demianenkof, and two days later sailed himself Avith the sloops 
Ekaterina and Alexander and 300 bidarkas, making a combined force of 120 Kussiaus 
and 800 Aleutes with which to meet and overcome the 5,000 or G,noO native war- 
riors that could bo mas.sed against them. Arriving at Yakutat, ho was reenforced 
by Kuskof with tho small sloops YeDiiak and Rostialaf, which had been built for tho 
occasion. On tho 251h of August liarauof left Yakutat on board of tho Yermak, 
reaching Sitka Sound September 19, whither the Alexander and Ekaterina had pre- 
ceded him; and with them was the shij) Xeva, Captain Lissianski, having unexpect- 
edly arrived from Ivussia via Cipo Horn and Kadiak. Tho natives were found 
intrenched upon an island rock 00 feet above tide Avater. 

On tho 1st of October four of tho sliix)S were anchored off the native stronghold, 
and lire was opened from tho ships, Ibllowed by a desperate charge, led by Baranof 
himself. Tho assault was rei>ulsed, with the loss of 11 men and the wounding 
of Baranof and Lieutenants Arbuzof and Pofalishin. The following day the ships 
opened a furious bombardment, which caused the natives to sue for peace. Three 
days were consumed in negotiations wnthout tho stronghold being surrendered, when, 
on October G, Captain Lissianski, who at tho request of Baranof had taken charge 
of tho hostilities, constructed a raft, upon which he moved two guns nearer the fort. 
An interpreter was again sent to demand an immediate surrender of the post, and 
brought back word that tho natives would leave at high tide. But the tide rose and 
fell without any apjiareut movement within the fort. Late in tho night a Aveird, 
wailing chant was heard in the fort and all was still. It was the death dirge, as they 
killed their infants and small children lest their cries should betray their flight. 
Then silently stealing out of the fort into the woods they escaped unobserved. In 
tho morning a ilock of ravens circled over tho fort and fed on the slain. When the 
Russians entered the stockade they found the bodies of 30 warriors and all the 
small children. 

This place had been originally selected by Baranof as a sito for a settlement, and 
it was now taken for that purpose. The log fortress was burned to tho ground 
and its site was taken for the location of the residence and offices of the Russian 
commander, and the foundations laid for Novo Arkhangelsk, the capital of Russian 
America — the Sitka of to-day. During the winter of 1804-05 8 buildings were 
erected and surrounded with a substantial stockade, with blockhouses and mounted 
cannon at tho angles. In the si)ring the ground was cleared and several vegetable 
gardens started. But that the accommodations were still far from comfortable we 
may see Avhen Count Kezanof writes a few mouths later in an official report: 

" We all live poorly, but worse than all lives Baranof, in a miserable hut, so damp 
that the floor is always wet, and during the constant heavj^ rains the place leaks 
like a sieve."' 

In 1809 Baranof 's hut was destroyed by fire, giving place to a more comfortable 
residence, so that Captain Golovin, of the Russian navy, in 1810 writes the fort 
"consisted of stroug wooden bastions and palisades; the houses, barracks, maga- 
zine, and mauager's residence of exceedinglj'^ thick logs. In Baranof's house the 
furniture and finishing were of fine workmanship and very costly, having been 
brought from St. Petersburg and England. But what astonished mo most was the 
large library, in nearly all Euroj)ean languages, and the collection of fine paintings." 

In 1827 the second castle, being thrown down by an earth(|uake, was removed and 
the summit of the rock crowned with a still larger building, which has since been 
known as tho governor's palace. The building was constructed of largo cedar logs 
8r[uared on tho sides and (lovetailed together at the corners. To i>revent its being 
destroyed by an earthquake, copjier rods were run through the logs and bolted to the 
rocks upon which the house stood. It was 140 by 70 feet in size, two stories high, 
and crowned with a cupola, in v.'hich at night lamps were placed to guide incoming 
mariners. Tho building was surrounded by a stockade and defended by a battery 
of guns that extended halfway around it on tho seaward side. At the northwest or 
land side it was approached by a long flight of steps. Upon a lauding halfway up 
was another battery and a sentry. The second floor of the i)alace was given up to 
state apartments, and used for receptions, balls, public dinners, etc. In tho center 
was the grand saloon, 70 feet square. Opening out from the saloon on tho one end 
was a drawing-room, extending the whole breadth of the building, 35 by 70 feet in 
size, and from tho other end a\lrawing-room and billiard room each 35 feet square. 
On the first floor were the parlor, library, bedrooms, dining room, and kitchen. In 
tho grand saloon, upon the anniversary of the Emperor's birthday and other festive 
occasions, the governor was accustomed to give a dinner to all the officials aud lead- 



1476 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

ing chiefs in the place. Sir George Simpson, governor-general of Rupert Land, in 
his journey around the world, visiting Sitka in 1842, writes of the farewell dinner 
given hiui by Governor Etholin: 

"The farewell dinner, to which about 30 of us sat down, exceeded in sumptuous- 
ness anything 1 had yet seen even at the same hospitable board. The glass, the 
plate, and the appointments in general were very costly; the viands were excellent, 
and Governor Etholin played the part of host to perfection." 

The last of these regal festivities was on the 18th of October, 1867, in honor of 
the transfer on that day of the Territory to the United States. That night a grand 
ball and dinner were given to the distinguished officials and naval officers of the 
United States and Russia who were present at the ceremonies, followed by an illu- 
mination and fireworks. 

After the transfer this historic building was occasionally occupied by American 
officials until, gradually falling into decay, it was abandoned. Its portable furni- 
ture, lamps, brass chandeliers, and even the great, quaint hinges on its doors, were 
stolen. Tourists cut out and carried away its carved railings, and town boys amused 
themselves by throwing stones through its windows. The doors and sash were 
boldly carried off to do service in other habitations, and when I first saw the build- 
ing in 1879 many of its windows and doors were gone and the floor of the grand 
saloon covered with rubbish. It remained, however, until the last a favorite resort 
for tourists from the steamers, and an opportunity to dance in the grand saloon was 
greatly prized. In late years added interest has been given to the building by speak- 
ing of it as haunted by the ghost of a beautiful Russian lady, the daughter of a 
former governor, who disappeared from the ballroom on her wedding night, and was 
found dead in one of the smaller drawing-rooms. On the anniversary of her wed- 
ding night, and again on Easter night, clad in her wedding garments and wringing 
her jeweled hands, her spirit is said to glide from room to room, leaving the perfume 
of wild flowers behind her. 

In 1893 the Government expended $14,000 in repairing the castle for the uses of the 
United States district court. At 2 o'clock on the morning of March 17, 1894, flames 
were seen issuing from the building, and in four hours the most noted landmark and 
historic building of Sitka was a heap of ashes. 

With the erection of the first governor's residence and fort in 1804-05 the tongue of 
land at the base of the fortified rock was gradually cleared of trees and stumps and 
a commencement made in the building of the village. From time to time several 
large apartment houses or flats were erected for the use of the employees of the com- 
pany. There was special activity in the erection of large public buildings during 
the time that Count Rezanof was governor. Some of these log buildings were 150 
by 80 feet in size and from two to three stories high, with large attics under the 
roof. A heavy stockade was erected around the whole village, with fortified block- 
houses at the angles. Upon the removal of the United States troops in 1877, the 
natives, believing that the country had been abandoned by the Government, arose 
in 1877, tore down the stockade, and would have murdered the white inhabitants 
but for the timely arrival of a British gunboat. 

A small portion of the stockade remains in the rear of the governor's garden, and 
also two of the blockhouses. 

Under the indomitable energy of Baranof, Sitka (Nova Arkhangelsk) became not 
only the political capital of Alaska (Russian America) and the headquarters of the 
Russian-American Company, but also the commercial metropolis of the Pacific Coast, 
possessing docks, shipyards, brass, iron, and bell foundries, machine shops, saw and 
flour mills, brickyards, woolen cloth mills, besides manufactories for agricultural 
implements, a copper-engraving establishment, large warehouses, an observatory, 
hospitals, a library, Russo-Greek and Lutheran churches, the bishop's residence, 
schools, a theological seminary, and an officers' clubhouse. During this period San 
Francisco was known simply as a Roman Catholic mission to the Indians. 

Two and one-half years from the commencement of the settlement of Sitka a fine 
brig was launched from Its shipyard and christened Sitka. The following summer a 
three-masted schooner of 300 tons was launched and named Otkrytie {Discovery)', and 
Mr. A. J. Findlay, writing to the Nautical Magazine in June, 1849, says: 

"The arsenal is the next object which arrests the attention of a stranger, from the 
number of men employed either building new or repairing old vessels. At this 
moment they are building a new steamer, destined, I think, for Mr. Leidesdorf, of 
California. The workmanship appears good and solid ; everything for her is made 
on the spot, for which purposes they have casting houses, boiler makers, coopers, 
turners, and all the other *ers' requisite for such an undertaking. The boiler is 
almost completed and is made of copper. They also have their tool makers, workers 
in tin and brass, chart engravers, sawyers, and sawmills, for all which occupations 
suitable establishments have been made." 

At the time of the transfer a fleet of 15 sailing vessels and 2 ocean steamers went 
and came from its harbor. Before the American occupation of California the Sitka 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1477 

foundry furnished tlio Romish missions of California with their chimes of church 
bolls, and Sitka manufactories supplied the California ranchmen with their agricul- 
tural implements. 

The annual reports of the observatory were published by the Academy of Sciences 
at St. Petersburg. The Sitka Library, established by Count Rezanof in 1805, con- 
tained, m 1835, 1,700 volumes, 400 periodicals and pamphlets, and a valuable collec- 
tiou of charts. Of the books, 600 were in the Russian language, 300 in French, 130 in 
German, 35 in English, 30 in Latin, and the rest in Swedish, Dutch, Spanish, and 
Italian, The 39 copperplates of Tebenkofs celebrated Atlas of Alaska were engraved 
at Sitka by Terentief, a creolo. ' 

To provide more comfortable accommodations for unmarried officers and oflficiala 
of the higher rank, many of them sons of the nobility of Russia, Governor Etholin 
built a large clubhouse. 

Within a year from the commencement of the settlement (1805) a school was estab- 
lished. In 1820 its efficiency was greatly increased. In 18.39 a home school for orphan 
girls, daughters of the employees of the company, was established. In 1810 a similar 
school was opened for orphan boys. In 1841 a theological school was also opened. 

Tlie first Russo-Greek priest arrived at the new settlement in 1816. Before the 
transfer to the United States the Russo-Greek Church had a resident bishop, with 15 
priests, deacons, and followers; also a cathedral, church, and episcopal residence. 
The Lutheran Church had its minister and church building, both the Greek and 
Lutheran churches being sustained by the Imperial treasury. 

"With the American occupation, a great change came over the scene. Shipbuilding 
ceased, and the sbijiyard was lilled up to make a parade ground for American soldiers. 
Manufactories, foundries, and all other industries were closed, only two sawmills and 
a beer brewery remaining. The skilled mechanics and Russians largely returned to 
Siberia. The bishojiric and theological seminary were removed to San Francisco. 
The books of the public library were "lost, strayed, or stolen." No trace of them 
now remains. Three of the large Russian buildings, including the castle and hos- 
pital, have been destroyed by tire. The Lutheran Church, condemned as unsafe, haa 
been torn down. The clubhouse, too, has been adjudged unsafe, and, with some of 
the warebouses and other buildings, will have to be torn down. The civilized, indus- 
trious ])opulation of several thousand has dwindled down to several hundred, and 
where thousands earned a living by their trades, the few hundred that remain are 
largely dependent, directly or indirectly, upon the salaries of the Government officials 
and the summer patronage of curio-buying tourists. 

For a short time after the transfer Sitka had a boom, as wide-awake speculators 
rushed in, anticipating the creation of a large city. A region several miles square, 
reaching from the sea to the tops of the mountains, was mapped on paper into streets, 
parks, and city lots. A municipal government was organized, wkh a mayor and 
common council. A newspaper, the Sitka Times, was started and published weekly 
for eighteen months. But the enterprising speculators, failing to realize their hopes, 
one after another returned south, and the withdrawal of the troops in 1877 seemed 
to complete the decline of Sitka. The census of 1880 revealed the presence of but 
1.57 Americans and 219 Creoles in the deserted city. The same census, however, 
showed a native Thlinget population of 540. 

The Thlinget village of Sitka is about as large to-day as in Russian times, and 
in much better condition. Largely under the inliuence and teaching of the mission 
and school maintained among them since 1880 by the Home Missionary Society and 
the Woman's Executive Committee of Home Missions — both of the Presbyterian 
Church— the Thlingets have made considerable advance in civilization. The old 
damp, dark, and smoky native buildings, with their bark roofs, are giving place to 
modern buildings with windows, doors, wooden floors, chimneys, and shingle roofs. 
Stoves are taking the place of a fire on the floor in the center of the room ; chairs, 
tables, dishes, and bedsteads are becoming common; and on Sundays the crowds that 
wend their way to church are dressed in good "'store clothes" of American manufac- 
ture. And to-day the only ones learning trades are not the sons of Russian Creoles, 
but of the Thlingets, at the Presbyterian Industrial Training School, at Sitka. 
This institution has 14 buildings, and is distinctively coeducational. The boys and 
girls recite in the same classes, dine together in the same dining room, andj under 
wholesome restraint, have opportunities for social intercourse. 

A few years of sedulous training have developed in some of the older pupils a 
spirit of emulation, a sense of personal responsibility, self-respect, self-reliance, and 
self-helpfulness which command respect. Most of the large boys, advanced far 
enough to read intelligently in the second reader, are learning a trade (all being in 
school half of each day and at work half a day), and the diligence with which they 
pursue their studies and the zest with which they enter upon industrial work day 
after day are most praiseworthy of them and encouraging to their instructors. All 

' Creole is used here to designate persons of mixed blood, of Russian descent. 



1478 EDUCATION REt>OET, 1893-94. 

of tlie shoes for tlie pui>ils of the school arc handmado in the shop, under tho direc- 
tion of a competent foreruau. Considerable custom Avork is also done. 

The supply of barrels and half-barrels far exceeds the demand, yet coopering is 
considered an excellent trado for the young men. Owing to high freight, barrels 
are usually made at tho fishing stations where needed, and coopers are in demand, at 
those places. 

The variety and scoiie of carpenter work haA'o proved a most valuable source of 
instruction to tho boys, most of whom arc aptly adapted to mechanical industry. 
The boys have ijiade commendable progress during tho past year. Young men who 
can do cariienter work fairly well can hnd opi>ortunity to ply their trado in any of 
the villages of Alaska. 

There are eight model cottages, six of which are occupied by young married couples 
from the school. These young folks have been thrown entirely upon their own 
responsibility and resources, and. they are doing right well in earning a livelihood, 
•while their houses are kept clean, neat, and homelike. The environments of family 
life among the young folk, in contradistinction to that in vogiio among tho natives, 
tend to create new conditions and inspire new impulses among their own people. 

Tho general work of the school — patching, mending, refitting, making new gar- 
ments (aprons, towels, underwear, dresses) — is no light task. Each girl 8 years old 
and upward knits her own stockings, and the large girls find time to learn useful 
tidy work in order that they may be able to beautify their own homes with the work 
of their own hands. 

The girls are trained in every department of household industry — kitchen, dining 
room, teachers' room, etc. The girls numbering but 50, the matron and her assist- 
ants find time to give each girl individual care iu the details of housekeeping, thus 
gradually inculcating and developing a sense of personal resi^omsibility. 

Tho boys do tho bread baking for the school, while the girls in turn are taught how 
to bake and cook for a familj'. This special instruction in the art of cooking is given 
in the teachers' kitchen, the cooking for tho teachers and employees being done by 
tho native girls. They are also trained to wait upon the table, and they serve the 
teachers and guests in a graceful manner. The young boys are also trained in the 
school kitchen and dining room. 

Tho pupils, from the children to tho adults, sing with a siiirit and understanding 
that outrival many of tho public schools. 

Tho brass band of 20 members dispenses music for the school and for the town on 
puldic occasions. 

There is a military company of 35 members. The guns were kindly loaned them 
by tho governor of the Territory. 

Lessons iu patriotism are constantly inculcated. The Alaskans are a loyal, patri- 
otic people. 

The time has fully come when a normal department should be added to this impor- 
tant school, and a beginning be made in training native teachers. 

After a very l)usy week spent at Sitka, the Bear got under way at 4.45 a. m. on 
May 19 for Prince' William Sound. The trip up the coast was grand. The Fair 
Weather range of mountains stood out bold and white, covered with snow to tho 
water's edge. On tho afternoon and evening of the 20th we had tine views of Mount 
St. Elias, it being visible from base to top. One of the most remarkable stretches 
of coast for a combination of snow, glaciers, and mountains is the region between 
Cross Sound and Cape St. Elias — no language can do it justice. At 1 o'clock a. m. 
on May 22 we entered Prince William Sound. There being no good chart of the 
region, the captain felt his way slowly with constant soundings of the lead. At 
8.30 a. m. anchor Avas dropped off tho east end of Hawkins Lsland, Cordova Bay, iu 
the Aicinity of two large salmon canneries. In tho neighborhood of these canneries 
reside 25 white men living with natiA^o women. It is reported that last winter they 
manufactured 2,500 gallons of liquor for tho use of tho Indians. The two salmon 
canneries at Cordova Bay, and one near by at the mouth of Copper River, represent 
a capital of $375,000. The output of these canneries for last season was 80,00v) cases 
of canned salmon, with four dozen 1-pound cans to the case, with a valuation of 
$280,000. 

On tho 23d, availing myself of the kind invitation of Captain Humphry to mako 
a trip across tho delta of the Copper River, I went aboard their little fishing steamer. 
Tho distance across tho delta is about 50 miles. Passing to the southwest of tho 
canneries and skirting the mountains down the peninsula east of Hawkins Island 
and around Cape Whitshed, our little craft boldly imshed to tho eastAvard across tho 
delta, tlie steamer channel being marked by spruce trees which, at low tide, when 
the flats are bare, had been set at the principal turns. Tho afternoon was rainy and 
•we only got occasional glimpses of the beautiful snow-clad mountains to the south- 
ward. About 9 p. m. we reached our destination at Pete Doll Slough. Upon stilts 
on tho bank was a small frame house where twelA'e fishermen and a cook abide dur- 
ing the few v>'eeks iu which salmon run at thia point. As we came up to the mud bank 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1479 

there were sis piles of red salmon and six of king salmon -waiting to be loaded upon 
the steamer. The catch for the day was 4,000 fish, -which -\vcro soon loaded on board. 
For the common salmon, averaging 8 pounds each, the fishermen receive 3 cents per 
fish, and for the Icing sahnon, •v\-eighing from 40 to 80 pounds, 10 cents each. Soon 
after midnight, the tide being up, the steamer started to return to the canneries, but 
before fairly getting out in the stream, ran aground, and the tide fallings we were 
leftwlierewo could get ofi' the steamer and walk ashore. This detained ns until 
high tide at noon on the 24th, when we again got under way, reaching the canneries 
about 5 p. m. "While en route wo passed five bidarkas v.-itli natives hunting the sea 
otter. 

Eeturniug to the Bear at 6.45 p. m., we were under way for Nuchek. At 10.35 the 
cutter ran ashore on a sand shoal, but was able to back off withoi^t any serious dam- 
age. Ou the morning of the 25tli we dropped anchor at Nuchek, where we remained 
until 2,35 -a. in. ou the 27th, at which time a start was made for Cooks Inlet. Gla- 
ciers and snow-covered mountains were visil)lo the entire day. At 6.30 a. m. on the 
28th, rounding Chugatz Island, wo entered Cooks Inlet. At 9 o'clock, overhauling 
the Ida Etta, the steamer was stopped to send a boarding party to the sealer. At 
9.20 wo were again under way northward, and at 1 \). m. passed Coal Point (Kachek- 
mack Bay); at 3 p. m. Staritchkof Eiver was abeam; at 4.50 we anchored off Muuia 
(Nilchik). The village being 4 miles distant, the sailors had a long, hard jmll to 
shore. The whole male and child population of the village came down to the beach 
to meet us. The only American in the place was Mr. J, M. Cooper, the trader. Tho 
village is composed of 17 families of Russian Creoles, comprising 53 people, of whom 
23 are children between 6 and 21 years of age. The houses are small but comfortable, 
and well built of logs. Tho village has also a small log church recently reconstructed. 
The priest comes from Kenai once a year. In the meantime, the xiriucipal men take 
turns in conducting church, services. The community possesses 15 head of cattle 
(small Siberian breed). They raised 600 bushels of potatoes, besides cabbages, tur- 
nips, ruta-bagas, etc. They have about 5 acres under cultivation. Each season they 
salt down a sufficient quantity offish for their winter use. Eighteen head of moose 
were killed tho past season; also a number of bears, lynx, etc. The community was 
anxious for a school. These people are interesting as the descendants of those who 
■u'ero sent in 1812 by the Russian American Company to found the Ross colony and 
raise provisions for the Alaska colonies. When the attempt was abandoned in 1841 
the people were returned to Alaska, and many of them settled at this point. 

At 4.20 o'clock on tho morning of the 29th we got under way, again steaming north, 
and at 9.30 a. m. came to anchor 5 miles otf Fort Kenai, Avhero wo again went ashore. 
As the people of this place see but two or three ships a year, an arrival is a great 
event, and large numbers of the people gathered on the bluff to see us land. "We 
were met at the landing by Mr. Wilson, formerly a naval officer of the United States, 
but who for twenty-five years has been in the employ of the Alaska Commercial 
Company in the vicinity of Cooks Inlet. Making a call upon the Russo-Greek 
priest, we found that his wife talked English fluently. The population of Kenai 
is given by the priest as 152, 89 males and 63 females; to this ])opulation there are 
but 16 children ; these are all in a school taught by the assistant priest. The people 
are rapidly dying oft'; four years ago, in an outbreak of the grip, 40 people died in one 
month from this small population. The place is divided into two small settlements; 
the one on the bluft overlooking the beach is Russian creolo, and tho other, about a 
niilo away, overlooking the valley of the Kaknu River, is occupied by the Kenai 
Indians. The slope of "the bluft" from the creole village down to the beach is covered 
witli the vegetable gardens of the jjeople. The Creoles have gotten out the logs for 
a now church building, and are awaiting tho expected arrival of their bishop from 
San Francisco to secure permission to build. Tho priest lives in a large, comfortable, 
log Ijuilding, and has taken a stand for temperance and morality among his people 
that will do them much good. This can not be said of many of his predecessors. 
Tho range of the thermometer at this place is from 90^ above zero in summer to 35^ 
and 40^ below zero in winter. 

Near the Indian village is a large salmon cannery, on the Kaknu River, which is a 
Large stream flowing trom the Skillokh Lake. Across the bay, immediately in front 
of Kenai, is Redoubt Mountain, an active v'olcano. At the head of Cooks Inlet, on 
Tuniagain Bay, are some gold placer mines, worked by 30 white men. A few miles 
to thesouth of Kenai is the mou.th of Kassiloft" River, a large stream taking its rise 
in Tustumeua Lake; at its mouth are two salmon canneries. Near the mouth of 
Cooks Inlet, ou the east bank, is the village of Soldavia, on Kachekmak Bay. It has 
two stores, and is the largest settlement on the inlet. The place has applied to the 
general Post-office Department to be placed on the mail route as a distributing point 
for Cooks Inlet. 

Having finished our duties in Cooks Inlet, at 2.30 a. m. May 30 we were again 
under Avay, bound south to Karluk. Going on deck at half past 7 o'clock, we were 
abreast of Hiiamua Volcano (1,260 feet high), which from base to peak, under the 



1480 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

morning sun, glistened in its white robe of enow and ice. In the crater, apparently 
to the southwest of the peak, were occasional puffs of smoke. As far as the eye could 
reach, north and south along the west coast of the inlet, stretched the wonderful 
panorama of high, sharp peaks and rugged mountains, all covered with snow to the 
water's edge. In front of us Mount St. Augustin arose from the sea, and with regu- 
lar sloping sides formed a conical-shaped mountain, covered with ice and snow. It 
is evidently of volcanic formation, as the ravines formed by the lava flows radiate 
from the cone to the base in regular lines. 

A few years ago a volcanic eruption split off a portion of this mountain and cast 
it into the sea. The mountain forms an island about 27 miles in circumference. 
This island was ever present and formed a conspicuous landmark through the entire 
day's sail. Prominent on the horizon in front of us in the morning, and which we 
only passed iu the evening, was Cape Douglass, which marks the southwest boundary 
of Cooks Inlet. In the far distance it looms up an island cone apparently separated 
from the mainland, but a nearer approach reveals a large grouiJ of sharji peaks cov- 
ered with snow and their ravines filled with glaciers. At noon a shout on deck took 
us out of the cabin to see a wonderful display of bird life. The water was black 
with them, forming a belt from 50 to 100 yards wide and almost as far as the eye 
could reach. The birds had evidently found a school of small fish, upon which they 
were gorging themselves. At different times in the inlet a number of fur seal were 
seen disporting themselves in the water. 

At 3.30 p. m. the ship was hove to to board a small schooner, the Jai/hawker, of 
Juneau, E. H. Bogues, master. The only occupants of the vessel were Mr, Bogiies 
and a boy of 11 years of age. Mr. Bogues was sick. The schooner had sprung 
a leak and was half full of water, and the two sailors were entirely out of provisions. 
The captain offered to tow them into a neighboring harbor, but they declined hia 
assistance. Ho then sent them some provisions and left them. It was afterwards 
learned that the schooner and master were famous for smuggling. A superb sunset 
closed a day of wonderful scenery. For grandeur of scenery Cooks Inlet greatly 
surpasses the properly famed scenery of southeast Alaska. Early in the morning of 
May 31 the Bear dropped anchor at Karluk. In the harbor were the American barks 
Harvester, Mcrom, and Nicholas Thayer. During the forenoon I went ashore and 
inspected the Government schoolhouse, which was erected several years ago at this 
place. During the past two years, owing to the smallness of the appropriation of 
Congress, the schoolhouse has been closed. Karluk is the most famous jilace in the 
world for salmon, having six or seven large canneries. 

Returning from the visit to the village, at 2.15 p.m. the ship got under way for 
Afoguak. The wind fresheniug into a gale and being dead ahead, with a heavy sea, 
the captain put into Uyak Bay and anchored. This bay runs inland some 27 miles, 
and in connection with Kaliuda Bay, on the eastern side of the island, almost cuts 
the great island of Kadiak into two portions. The trail between the bays is about 
8 miles. At anchor in the bay was the small fishing steamer Ella Rolhffs. Rich 
quartz-gold mines are reported at the head of the bay. The storm having somewhat 
abated, at 2.50 a.m., Juno 2, we were again underway. At 9 o'clock we turned 
from Shelikof iu Karluk Straits. These straits, which separate Afoguak and Kadiak 
islands, are about 20 miles long and 2 miles wide. Ou a clear day the trip through 
them furnishes beautiful scenery. Soon after entering the straits we overtook the 
Alaska Commercial Company's schooner the Kadiak, which had been reported lost. 
Captain Healy very kindly offered to tow the schooner into Kadiak, which offer was 
gladly accepted. Several times during the day we again saw the wonderful sight of 
myriads and myriads of birds covering the face of the sea. Among the birds several 
whales were seen. 

At 1.15 p. m. wo came to anchor abreast of the village of Afognak, and an oppor- 
tunity was afforded me to go on shore and inspect the schoolhouse and interview the 
teacher. Returning on board, the Bear got Under way. At 3.20 p. m., turning south- 
ward from Karluk Straits, we entered the romantic and beautiful Ozinkey Narrows 
between Kadiak and Spruce islands. With a strong tide in our favor, we swept 
swiftly through the Narrows past the village of Ozinkey, where I lay at anchor in 1886 
in the schooner Leo. AVo again met myriads of birds darkening the water iv search of 
fish. Those met in the forenoon were of a white color ; those in the afterupon were 
brown. About 7.10 p. m. the ship ancliored about midway between Kadiak and Wood 
Island villages. Going ashore at Wood Island, I had the privilege of spending the 
night with Mr. Roscoe, at the mission of the American JBaptist Woman's Home Mis- 
sionary Society. Mr. Roscoe's work has met with bitter opposition, and even perse- 
cution, from some who should have stood by him; at times even his life has been in 
danger, but through it all he has come out triumphantly, and now has 18 Russian 
Creole and Aleut children in the home. The next day I'went over to Kadiak and 
visited Mr. Washburn, agent of the Alaska Commercial Company, and Mr. Solter, 
teacher of the Government school. Here I was reminded that, although so little is 
known by the general public of Alaska that it is cousidered a comparatively new conn- 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1481 

try, yet tlio citizens of Kacliiik at tlio time of my visit were making preparations to 
celebrate the centennial of the estal)lislunent of the Russian church in their village. 

In the afternoon of June 4 the ship got nndcr way for Unga. The trip tlirough the 
southern entrance to the harbor of Kacliak out to sea is one of great interest and 
beauty. Passing between Wood and Picknick islands, by the southwest end of Long 
Island, through Chiniak Bay, a largo number of needle rocks are seen rising from the 
sea. Long Island has been leased from the Government and stocked with silver-gray 
foxes. Passing Capo Greville, 15 miles south, carries us abreast of Ugak Island, 
which is a landmark for sailors bound for Kadiak by tho southern entrance. Hero in 
1784 a decisive battle was fought between the natives and the Russians. After the 
repulse of tho attack of the natives on the newly formed settlement of tho Russians 
at Three Saints Bay, Shelikof concluded that his only safety was in giving the natives 
a severe lesson. Hearing that they were intrenched on the island, ho took one of his 
vessels and with an armed force made an attack upon them. Being unable to reacTi 
them with his small cannon, a landing was effected and a successful assault was made 
upon the native stronghold. A number of the natives in their desperation leaped 
from tho cliffs into tho sea and were drowned and about one thousand were taken 
prisoners. 

To the west of Ugak Island is St. Orlovsk, an old Russian settlement. Twelve 
miles farther down the coast is Kiliuda Bay, also containing an old Russian settle- 
ment. A few miles farther south and we pass Sitkalidak Island, behind which is 
the Bay of Three Saints. This bay was tirat visited by Grigor Ivan Shelikof ia 

1784 and named the Three Saints Bay after his three vessels, the Arcliancjel Michael, 
Simeon, and Anna. He formed a fortified settlement, which was soon attacked by 
the natives, who were smarting under the wrongs which they had suffered from 
previous parties of Russian fur seekers who had visited their shores in ships. Peace 
was only secured for the settlement through a bloody war. Making Three Saints 
his central station, Shelikof soon had settlements located at all desirable points 
along the east shore of the island, and also at Karluk, on the west coast, where in 

1785 he placed 52 Russians and a number of native hunters. As Three Saints was 
the first permanent Russian settlement in Alaska, it also had the honor of securing 
the first church building, erected in July, 1796. A school had been taught in 1785 
hy Shelikof and his wife, and again by Father Juvenal, who opened his school on 
the 19th of June, 1796. In 1796 the headquarters of Russian operations was removed 
from Three Saints to Kadiak. From Three Saints to Kadiak there is almost contin- 
uous inland navigation for kyaks and small boats, formed by the straits between 
the main island and smaller outlying islands. 

Steaming southward, we pass beyond the southern jioint of Kadiak and lay our 
course for Ukamok Island. Alitak Bay, in the southwestern end of Kadiak Island, 
is the first point on the island visited by the Russians. This was by Stepan Glottov, 
who landed here in the fall of 1763, and subsequently wintered at Kiyavak (Kahgo- 
vak), on the southwest side of the island. 

At 2.45, on the morning of June 5, we passed Trinity Island, 11| miles south of 
the southern point of Kadiak Island. At noon we were abeam of Chirikof Island, 
This island, discovered by Captain Cook on April 4, 1794, is about 10 leagues in 
circumference. Passing along its eastern side, it seemed high and rocky. Thig 
island is historic as the "Botany Bay" of Russian America, being tho place where 
murderers and tho more desperate criminals were taken and left largely to them- 
selves. The island was treeless and without vegetation except moss and lichens. 
However, innumerable wild fowl nested on its cliffs, schools of fish frequented its 
surrounding waters, and the marmot abounded in tho crevices of the rocks. As 
marmot fur is highly prized for parkas, the convicts set themselves to procuring it 
for a living. 

In 1869 Captain Evans, of the United States revenue cutter Lincoln, making an 
inspection of the southern coast of Alaska, called at the island. He was accompa- 
nied by Mr, Vincent Collyer, secretary of the Board of Indian Commissioners. Not 
knowing the character of the settlement, and moved by their stories of privation 
and destitution, a large supply of provisions and goods were landed for their relief. 
The sugar was at once brewed into beer (quass) and the whole community reveled 
in drunkenness as long as the supplies lasted. From the visit of the ship they learned 
that they were no longer under Russia, and were free to go or come. Stimulated by 
the memory of the good things left by the ship, they determined to abandon their 
island prison and make a desperate venture for liberty. Packing the whole popula- 
tion into two skin-covered bidarkas, they safely made the island of Kadiak, 80 miles 
distant. 

June 6, at 6 a. m., we passed 4 miles north of Castle Rock. We were now at the 
eastern entrance of the Shumagin Archipelago. To the south of us were the Big 
and Little Koninski, Simeonort", and many smaller islands; to the north of us. Point 
Kupreanoff, Avith the rock-bound coast, snow-covered, glacial-swept mountains and 
laviues of tho peninsula. Directly in front were the islands of Nagai, Andronica, 



1482 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

Korovin. Popoff, and Unga, 'witli inunmerable islets and rocks. About 9 o'clock -vve 
entered Gorman Straits, passing between Korovsiu and Audronica islands, on the 
former of which is a small Riissian settlement of two families, with four or five 
houses and a small Greek chapel. Wo were now in the neighborhood of the point 
where, on August 30, 1741, Bering landed to bury Shoomagin, one of his seamen. 
As the natives destroyed the cross that marked the grave as soon as the Eussiana 
left the beach, all trace of the exact spot has been lost. From the account of the 
expedition it was probably either on Popoff or Nagai islands. 

Leaving Pirate Cove, with its sheltered cod fishery, to the right of us, we pass 
down the east coast of Popoff Island, round the head, and make direct for Delaroff 
Harbor, where avo make anchor at 11.45 a. m., abreast of the village of Unga. Tak- 
ing an early lunch, I went ashore and found Mr. O. R. Kinney, the teacher, on the 
beach waiting for me. Under his guidance we visited the schoolhouse, which has 
been enlarged and repainted since I left there a year ago. From the schoolhouse 
we visited the "Martha Ellen Stevens" cottage, where he resides, and while there 
discussed school matters. 

The entrance to the harbor is most picturesque. At the southern side a large 
opening or cave extends through a rocky headland, giving the appearance of an 
immense elephant, the cave or open space separating the elephanfs trunk from his 
fore legs. The southern point of the island is a precipitous rock, making a high 
cape, with a largo number of needle rocks clustering around its base, while a few- 
miles beyond, as ontlyiug sentinels, are the Sea Lion Rocks. At the northern entrance 
of the harbor are large, detached, precipitous rocks at the base of high, perpendicu- 
lar rock cliffs, cliffs and rocks alike being covered with nesting birds. In a sheltered 
nook on the north side of the harbor is the village, with a population of 159. 

Returning to the ship, at 6.25 p. m. wo were under way for Sand Point. Steaming 
tip Popoff' Straits and passing a small settlement at Squaw Harbor, we rounded Sand 
Point, and at 8.25 p. m. anchored in Humboldt Harbor, off the village of Sand Point. 
This village consists of a half dozen houses belonging to Liud »fc Hough, of Saa 
Francisco, and a United States custom-house. A small hotel is in process of erection. 
At auchor in the harbor were the British sealers Venture and San Jose and Walter L. 
liich, all of Victoria, British Columbia, and the American schooners Czarina and Ven- 
ture. The sealers had large crews of British Columbia Indians, and were awaiting 
the end of the closed season to engage in sealing. This is the central depot of the 
North Pacific cod fishing, the Czarina being at the dock loading codfish for San Fran- 
cisco. At the wharf, and forming the foundation of a portion of the same, was the 
hull of the schooner John Hancoclx, wrecked at the Sand Point Wharf. The John 
EancoeTc was built as a naval steamer at the Charlestowu (Massachusetts) Navy-Yard 
in 1850-1852, and was in Commodore Perry's Japan expedition in 1853-54, after which 
it was condemned and sold into the merchant service. While in the merchant service 
and loaded with lumber it was abandoned at sea, oft' the coast of Oregon, Being 
recovered and brought into port, it was resold to Lind & Hongh, who placed it in 
their codfish trade in the Shumagin Islands, where it has left its "bones'' in the 
harbor of Sand Point. 

June 8, at 2.10 a. m., the Bear got under way. Passing out from the north end of 
Popoff' Straits, we skirted the north end of Unga Island, through Unga Straits, and 
passed the entrance of Portage and Beaver bays down past Seal Cape. About 6 a. m. 
we i^assed a small settlement of Aleutes on Wosnesewsky Island. The Alaska Com- 
mercial Company, who have had a small trading station at this village, have this 
season closed it. 

Passing to the north of Ukolsnoy Island, almost directly ahead was the celebrated 
Pavloff" Volcano, smoking with its old-time fidelity. Pavloft' and Canoe bays, on the 
Pacific Ocean side, extend inland across the peninsula to within 4 miles of the waters 
of Herendeen Bay and Port MoUer, on the Bering Sea side. In several places the 
peninsula is nearly cut in two by the fiords that extend nearly across from the Pacific 
Ocean to Bering Sea. 

Turning southward, we soon entered the narrow straits between Dolgoi and Goloi 
islands and the Belkofsky peninsula and Inner lliasik Island, then through Iliasik 
Pass, after which we hauled up for Belkofsky, situated upon the bluffs directly in 
front of us, coming to anchor abreastof the village at 11.45 a. m. After lunch I went 
ashore, visiting the traders, the Eusso-Greek church, and Father Metropolski, the 
priest. 

The trader reported no school. The priest reported one taught two days in Eng- 
lish, two days in Russian language, and the remaining two days of the week given 
to instruction in the church catechism. 

Got under way at 1.30 a. m., June 9, standing south between Bold Cape and Deer 
Island with Unca Rock directly ahead. At 3.10 raised Ugomok Island in the fog 
and soon after were Hying through Unimak Pass with Avind and sea in our favor, 
and leaving a gale ])ehind as in the Pacific Ocean. Once in the lee of Akun and 
Akutan Islands we had smooth sailing. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1483 

Sunday, Jnno 10, at 5. 10 a. m., tlio Bear itiudo fast to ■wharf at Dutch Harhor. 

Monday, ,Tune 11, I jveut over to Unalaska to spend tho morning with Mr. Tuck, 
l)ut found tliat ho -was about sailin<^ for Pujjfot Sound on tho ship Woosier for his 
vacation. Ho expects to visit liis mother iu Maine. 

.Time 12, at 1 p. m., a whahdjoat was seen entering- the harbor and the steam launch 
ivas sent olf to meet her. It was found to bo oue of tho wrecked boats of tho whal- 
iui; bark Jamcx Allen, and contained C'apt. A. Huntley and (! men. 

They reported liaving left in an ohl barabara on Umnak Island 9 of their comrades. 

Ono'boat containing 8 men was found by Alexander Sheisiukoff, Alaska Conmiercial 
Company, trader at Atka. Discovering theui lost at sea, lie built a lire upon tho top 
of a neighboring hill to attract their attention and. then went out in a kyak through 
a dangerous sCa to intercept and bring them in. He then furnished thom with 
needed clothing and kept tliem until the Alaska Commercial Company's steamer 
Dora called iu and took them oft'. The Dora meeting tho U. >S. S. Petrel (Captain 
Emory commanding) at sea, gave them over to him. They were then l)rought to 
Unalaska and some of them found employment with the North American Commercial 
Company. 

Upon the arrival of Captain Huntley and crew on tho Bear, word was at once sent 
to Captain llealy, who was on shore. 'With his usual jiromptness, orders were issued 
to prei)aio for sea. Tho boilers had been "blown down" and tho engine taken 
{ipart for repairs, but with lives at stake tho men worked with such a will that in 
four hours the engine was repaired, the boilers filled, steam got up, and wo were oflf 
to sea at 7.05 i^. m. 

Wednesday, June 13, a head wind and a heavy head sea made our progress A-ery 
slow. Ono iiour under full head of steam wo made but 1.6 knots. 

"We expected to reach Umnak Island early iu the morning, but the storm was so 
severe that we did not reach it until the following forenoon. To-day the U. S. S. 
Albatross started out to join iu tho search, but returned to the harbor on account of 
the storm. 

Having arrived Thursday, Juno 14, at 10.30 a. m., in the neighborhood of the camp, 
tho shiplay "off and on" while Lieutenant White and Captain Huntley were sent 
in charge of two cutters through a heavy sea to rescue the men. 

Upon reaching the shore and entering tho hut, they found nine men gathered 
around the firo with a i)ot of human flesh on cooking, which they had cut from the 
body of tho man who had died and been buried two weeks. Upon perceiving tho 
rescue party they gave a feeble hurrah, and, laughing and crying l)y turns, remarked 
that they were sorry to say that they Aver'e cannibals, but that starvation had stared 
them iu the face and they were compelled to resort to that food. They reported that 
Gideon had died Juno 7 and they had eaten him. When he was gone, they had dug 
np Pena, who had been buried on May 30, and were now (June 11) eating him. When 
they reached tho ship they were so weak that some of them had to be carried and all 
of them helped to the forecastle, where the clothes, swarming with vermin and reck- 
ing in filth, were cut off of them and thrown overboard. They were then thoroughly 
washed and hair cut. When stripped of their clothing their emaciation showed 
their suffering. 

It has siuce been learned that tho wrecked men in the hut were within 6 miles of 
a small Aleut village. But they knew nothiug of the existence of the village, and 
the villagers saw nothing of tho sailors. At 12.40 the ship started for return to 
Uualaska, reacliiug thereat 4.20 a. m. on Juno 15. 

The mail steamer Crescent Citij had arrived during our abseuco. At 3 p. m. the 
U. 8. S. Alert came in. 

On Saturday, June 16, at 7.30 p. m., tho Alaska Commercial Company's steamer 
Jleriha arrived from San Francisco. Schooner Carrier Dove anchored just outside of 
the spit. At 9.50 p. m. U. S. S. Concord came to anchor in the harbor. 

On board tho steamer Bertha were Rev. John W. Chapman and wife, Miss Bertha 
W. Sabine, and Miss Mary Glenton, M. D., for Anvik, Yukon River; Miss ]\Iargaret 
F. JIacdouald for Church of England Mission, Buxton, Yukon River, and JNIiss Home 
for the Swedish Mission at Golovin Bay. Among other passengers were Mr. Fred- 
ericks and Mr. Wilson, Alaska Commercial Company traders at St. Jlichael. 

At 11 a. m., Juue 17, fourteen of tho rescued sailors were sent with Capt. Arthur 
Huntley on board the Crescent City, Captain Healy having arranged for their trans- 
portation to San Francisco. 

After they had gon*, iu cleaning up, ono of the sailors found a piece of human 
flesh in tho pocket of an oilcloth coat which tho shipwrecked men had left on board 
the Bear. At 12.15 p. m. the Crescent Cil>j went over to Uualaska for tho mail, and 
in the afternoon went to sea. At 9.10 p. m. the Hawaiian steamer Alexander, Captain 
Green master (whaling), dropped anchor. Captain Green reported the loss of the 
whaling bark Abraham Barker, of New Bedford, Gifford master, iu the ice off Cajit 
Navariu about the middle of May. All hands saved. 

Monday, Juue 18, immediately after breakfast, I went over to Uualaska and had a 



1484 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

conference with Mr. Rudolph Neumann concerning the bouncTaries of the school lot, 
after which, with Captain Hayes, representing the Alaslca CU)mmercial Company, I 
staked off about 600 feet square to the east of the Alaslia Commercial Company's 
barnyard. Was on shore all day. Took lunch with Captain Hayes on the Dora, and 
dinner with Captain Hague and Rev. Mr. Chapman and party on the Bertha, At 
6.35 p. ni. the U. S. S. Albatross returned to the harbor, reporting no traces of the 
-wrecked whalers. 

On Wednesday, June 20, at 8.15 a. m., the Bear got under way for Seguam Island, 
■where it was rumored there were some shipwrecked whalers. 

Passing along the Four Mountain group of islands, we made Seguam Island June 
22 at 3.45 a. m. The engine was slowed down and a careful examination of the coast 
was made. At 9.15 a. m. Lieutenant Dodge and crew of men were sent oif in a cutter 
to examine a iiortion of the coast which a reef of rocks made it dangerous for the ship 
to approach. Becoming satisfied that there were no meu on the beach, at 11.15 a. m. 
the course was shaped for Cape Navarin, Siberia, where we will make an effort to 
secure some reindeer. 

Juno 26, 11.50 a. m., land was sighted to the westward of Cape Navarin, Siberia, 
distant about 15 miles, and at 3.40 we came to anchor in the bight to the westward 
of Cape Navarin. We remained at anchor all night, hoping to get in communication 
with some of the deer men that have herds in that neighborhood. 

On Wednesday, June 27, 5.30 a. m., no deer men having shown themselves on the 
beach, the ship got under way for Cape Aggen, Siberia. At 3 p. m. we were abreast 
Cape Navarin, a beautiful, bold, and rugged promontory. At 7.12 p. m. we were 
abreast Cape Thaddeus. 

Upon reaching Port Clarence we were informed by the whalers that the inhabitants 
around Cape Thaddeus were iu a starving condition. They also reported the whaler 
Archangel Gabriel was still fast iu the ice. 

Thursday, June 28, at 10 p. m., being unable to make Cape Aggeu on account of 
the fog, the course of the ship was changed and we made for Plover Bay, Siberia. 

June 29, at 9.45 a. m., we stopped abreast of Eutoxia's village. The surf being too 
bad to laud and no one coming off from shore, we turned into Plover Bay, Siberia, 
where we came to anchor at 11.40 a. m. A number of the natives came on board ship. 
Not hearing of any reindeer in the neighborhood, at 5.40 p. m. the ship got under 
way for St. Lawrence Island. A stop was again made abreast of Eutoxia's village, 
but no one coming off the ship was soon on its way. Before reaching Eutoxia's 
village we passed seven or eight native boats hlled with men. They had evidently 
sighted a whale. 
At 4.25 a. in., June 30, the ship came to anchor off south side of St. Lawrence. 
Having given Captain Warren and party their mail and supplies at 8.40 a. m., we 
got under way for Cape Tchaplin, Siberia. 

We soon encouutered our first ice and saw a number of walrus and seal. Two of 
the walrus were shot by the captain. 

Working our Avay through the ice, at 4.40 p. m. we came to anchor off the village 
at Indian Point (Cape Tchaplin), Siberia. Koharri, one of the principal men, and 
a large number of the natives came on board. 

At 7.120 p. m. ship got under way for South Head, Siberia, where at 5.45 a. m., July 
1, we came to anchor off the village of Ahkahahnee, on south side of Cape Krleou- 
gouuc. A large number of natives came off to the ship, among them being Peter, with 
whom had been left last season some barter goods to trade for reindeer. Finding 
that the herd was a few miles to the westward, the ship got under way at 8 40 a. m., 
and, working to the westward through the broken ice, came to anchor at 10.55 a. m. 
off the small native village of Toray. A runner was at once sent to have the deer 
driven to the beach. In the afternoon while waiting foi the reindeer I accompanied 
Mrs. Healy and a number of the officers ou shore to visit the village, returning to 
the ship about 5 p. m., when the herd was seen coming over the slope of a mountain. 
At 8 p. m. the first load of 17 deer was taken on board, at 9.50 a load of 15, and at; 
11.45 p. m. the last load of 16, after which the owners were paid oft', it being after 1 
o'clock a. m. before the work was completed. 

July 2, at 5.40, we got under way for King Island and reached there at 7.50 p. m. 
The natives were soon on board in large numbers, from whom I purchased 7 walrus 
skins for the use of the reindeer station. At 10.10 p. m. we got under way for the 
Teller Station, Port Clarence, Alaska. 

At 5.25 a. m., July 3, came to anchor oft' Cape Spencer, in the midst of the whaling 
fleet. The steamer Jeanie, Mason master, with stores and supplies for the whaling 
fleet, brouglit us our mail. Tlie letters were written from the 13th to the 23d of May, 
and are the last that I will be able to receive until I return to Unalaska, the last of 
September. 

At 10.35 a. m. got under way for the Teller Reindeer Station at the upper end 
of the bay, and at 12.20 noon dropped anchor oft" the station. Soon after, Mr. 
W. T. Lop'p came on board for his mail. After lunch, returned ashore with Mr. Lopp 




School Children, Point Barrow, Alaska. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1485 

to look after tlio landing of the deer; also, lumber and poles for the station. Find- 
ing that the ship would remain at anchor over the 4th, I remained on shore over 
night. Mr. Lopp and 1 conferred together until late in the night. 

At 4 a. m., July 4, ^vas awakened by the firing of the morning gun from the Bear. 
At noon a national .salute of 21 guns was fired, and at 7 p. in. another gun was fired. 
The ship was gaily dressed with bunting, and looked finely with broadside to the 
shove. 

Immediately after breakfast Mr. Lopp, Mr. Grubin, and myself went into the busi- 
ness of taking an inventory of the (Jovernment property at the reindeer station, 
finishing about 5 p. m. ; after which I went over to the Bear with a quantity of rein- 
deer trade goods that had been left at the station last fall. 

At 7.30 p. m. the Bear got under way and steamed over to a watering place on the 
south side of the bay. 

.Tuly 6, having secured 4,275 gallons of fresh water, at 1.15 p. m. i^ie Bear returned 
to Cape Spencer, coming to anchor at 3.05 p. m. 

July 7, 8, and 9 were spent in coaling ship. 

On the evening of July 9 Captain Weeks, Sherman, and Porter, and myself, Lieu- 
tenant Dodge being in charge, went with the steam launch to the reindeer station 
after the herders that were to be returned to Siberia. When two-thirds of the way 
over we met Mr. Lopp and the herders coining to the ship; taking them in tow we 
returned to the station, where the herders were paid oft'. 

Returning to the ship about 11 o'clock p. m., Mr. Lopp and I went to the pilot 
house of the Bear and discussed plans until 2 o'clock in the morning. 

July 10 letters were sent on board the J. D. Peters, to be taken down to TJnalaska, 
and the Bear got under way for Ahkahahnee, Siberia, to return Enker and Ranken, 
together with^Kiniok, Peter, and Xowatat, deer men. I spent the afternoon in read- 
ing papers (two mouths old) just received. 

July 11, 4.34 a. m., Ave dropped anchor oft" Ahkahahnee, South Head, where the 
herders and visitors were landed. The deer men having asked for some barter goods 
to trade for reindeer during the winter and have them ready to deliver to the Bear 
in the summer of 1895, were supplied. 

There being every appearance of a storm outside, at 11.30 a. m. we got under way 
and wont around to Lutke Harbor, St. Lawrence Bay, where we dropped anchor at 
2.20 p. m. The captain and nearly all the officers went duck hunting. The ofScera 
brought back 44 ducks, the captain 25. This is the harbor where the U. S. S. Rogers, 
while in winter quarters, burned to the water's edge. The crew after suffering many 
hardships were rescued the following spring by Capt. M. A. Healy, on the U. S. 
E, M. S. Corivhi. 

At 7.40 a. m.^ July 12, came to anchorage off East Cape Village. An Umiak load 
of natives from Lutke Harbor left the ship and went to the village. At 8 o'clock 
a. m. we got under way and steamed into the bight to the southwest of the cape, and 
at 9.30 a. m. came to anchor near a native settlement. The steam whaler Belvidere 
"was also at anchor at same place. 

Captain Healy concluded to send Lieutenant White and Seaman Edwards along 
the Arctic Siberian coast to visit the deer men and purchase reindeer in advance of 
the arrival of the ship. An Umiak was secured of Tom Cod and the following 
natives hired for a triji of from six to eight weeks : Tom Cod, leader, 2 sacks of flour 
and knife; Claturnan, Claturnan's wife, Kolurigan, Emyia, Tetluk, Amoia, Atukea, 
each 1 sack of flour and knife. 

Provisions and svipplies were taken out and packed. 

A courier came from Eskimo Frank at Whalen, stating he had 10 deer to sell and 
■would be over as soon as ice and wind would allow. 

Sunday, July 15, steam whaler Belvidere left and stood through the straits. At 
10.05 p.m. go't under way for Whalen, Siberia, where we arrrived at 1.10 a. m. 
July 1(5. 

July 18, about 9 a. m., Lieut. Chester M. White and Seaman Edwards, with Tom 
Cod and six other natives, left the ship for a boat trip up the coast to Cape Serdze, 
going in advance of the ship to purchase deer. 

July 20, at 12.05 noon, ship got under way and moved up the coast 7^ knots to the 
mouth of the lagoon, anchoring at 1.20 p. ni. At 3 p. m. Lieutenant Reinburg was 
sent off with some men in the sailing launch after the deer. At 6.10 p. m. the officer 
returned and reported his inability to reach the deer on account of the surf. 

The delay of ten days consumed in securing the 16 deer at Whalen illustrates the 
difficulty of procuring them on the Siberian coast. 

Early in the morning of July 11 the ship dropped anchor on the south side of East 
Cape, in the vicinity of a herd of reindeer, but the owners lived on the north side 
of the cape, where the ship could not go on account of the ice. Five days were 
consumed in trying to open communication overland with the deer men and waiting 
for the wind to change. 
At length the wind having started from the south, which would drive the ice off- 



I486- 



EDUCATION EEPOET, 1893-94. 



Bliore from Whfilon, near midDiglit on tho fifth day, the ship got under way and 
■went around to the north side of the cape, where comniunicatiou was secured 
with the deer men and the deer purchased. After making arrangements for the 
purchase of tho deer on the 16th, nothing further coukl he done toward catching 
the deer and bringing them on the ship until the wind should change. It being 
from tho south, the surf would not allow landing where the herd was. After wait- 
ing in vain till tho 19th for the wind to change, negotiations were commenced with 
the deer men to drive their herd across the peninsula. They finally agreed to bring 
them to a lagoon, from whence they could be secured by the boats. 

At length, on the 20th, they were reftorted at the lagoon, but then the surf was so 
bad on the lagoon that the boats could not be landed, and it was only on the 21st, 
after eleven days of waiting, that the deer were actually secure on board. Tliere 
are no harbors in the neighborhood of the deer on the Siberian side. The ship 




usually anchors offshore in from 7 to 15 fathoms of water, and if the wind comes to 
blow strong on shore the anchor is raised and the ship goes out to sea, whether she 
has secured the deer or not. Another difficulty is with the ice. A strong wind off- 
shore blows the great fields of ice seaward, and into the open water near shore the 
ship steams. 

Dropping anchor in the neighborhood of a village, the natives come off. Negotia- 
tions are commenced with the deer men and a certain number of deer purchased. 
The men are at once dispatched to drive the deer near to the beach, catch and bring 
them off to the ship. 

In the meantime the wind may change, and the great fields of ice that a few days 
or hours before were driven seaward are now driven landward, and it has sometimes 
happened that the ship has been compelled to heave up the anchor and leave with- 
out procuring the deer already bought. And at other times, iu holding on to tho last 
moment iu order to get the deer ou board, the ship has become inclosed iu the ice aud 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



1487 



has been held a iirisoner tiiitil tho "wind as.iiu changes and scatters tlio ico seaward. 
Again, tho ship, by constant hntting, has had to l)reak lier way through tho ice. In 
doing this njjon two seasons tho ship has broken her propeller. 

July 21, at 8.30 a. m., the sailing launch and second cutter, in charge of Lieutenant 
Dodge, were sent into tho lagoon after reindeer. At 10.50 a. ni. tho steam launch, in 
charge of Lieutenant Rcinbnrg, was sent into tho lagoon to assist with the deer. At 
3.55 1). lu. tho boat rotarned to the ship with 16 reindeer. 

Got under way for Chachong at 5.40 a. m., July 22; at 8.20 a. m. was abeam of 
Utan; at 1.20 p. m. sto])pcd and picked uji Lieutenant White and j)arty, and at 1.50 
p. m. came to anchor oil' Chachong. Lieutenant White re]>orted having purchased a 
number of reindeer at this placo. Men were dispatched at once to drive the herd to 
the place. 

' At 3 p. ni. Lieutenant White and party left the ship to visit the deer men in the 
vicinity of Cape Serdze. 




July 23, tho captain being notified that tho herd had arrived, the sailing launch 
and second cutter, in charge of Lieutenant Reinberg, wore sent ashore for deer. Dr, 
White and myself also went ashore. 

At 2.30 p. m. the second cutter returned with 8 reindeer, and at 5.30 p. m. the launch 
and second cutter arrived with 14 more, making 22 in all secured at this place. 

Fifteen others had been contracted for, but when the time came the owners refused 
to sell. This was probably due to the iullueuco of tho medicine man, who had a 
misunderstanding with Lieutenant White. 

AVhilo ashore Dr. White and myself ascended a high hill about a mile east of the 
village of Ceshau (Tsha-Tshang). The top of the hill contained au area of perhaps 
20 to"25 acres, and along the sea front had a number of stone heaps and circles, jirob- 
ably connected with the religious rites of tho people. The stones are large, flat 
flakes of basalt. In the same locality was a circle 50 feet in diameter with a small 
heap of stones in tho center (ligs. 3 and 4). 

During the day the wind had shifted and lai-ge masses of ice were beginning to 
gather around the ship. As soou; therefore, as the reindeer were on board, and their 



1488 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

owners raid, the ship got under way (7.30 p. m.), picking her way carefully through 
the ice. Puring the afternoon Mr. Liebes went off with a party of Siberians in an 
umnialv'and shot a walrus, which was brought back to the ship, 

July 24, stiff breeze and very foggy. Passed through Bering Straits without see- 
ing land. At 12.30 noon had a glimpse of Fairway Rock through the fog, and at 9 
p. ni. came to anchor off Teller Reiudeer Station. Was much disappointed at the 
nonarrival of the ship Myers with the superintendent, assistant superintendent, and 
Lapps with their families and supplies. Mr. Lopp came off to the ship and remained 
until after midnight. Commenced landing reindeer at 6 a. m. July 25. The surf wa» 
so bad that the boat with the first load swamj^ed on the beach and came near drown.- 
ing the reiudeer; as it was, 3 had their hip bones broken and had to be killed. 

The subsequent landings were made in the lagoon west of the station. 

July 26, being very anxioiis to visit Grantley Harbor and the lakes beyond. Cap- 
tain Healy ve/y kindly gave me the use of the steam launch for the purpose. I was 
accompanied by Mr. Lopp. At 8.30 a. m, we steamed away from the Bea)-, and-sooa 
after picked up the second cutter with a party of sailors going off to draw the lina 
for fish in the Grantley Harbor, which we towed to the fishing place. Then w» 
crossed the harbor and passed through Eaton River to the first of the two lake?. 
There Ave went ashore for a fcAV minutes and then started on our return to the ship 
at 1.18 p. m. On our way down the river we ran on a sand bar, which detained ua 
five or ten minutes. On the trip we jiassed many summer fishing camps of tha 
natives. The long lines of fish hanging on the pole and frames to dry attested 
to the success they were having in fishing. On the south side of the mouth of 
Grantley Harbor we passed the small native village of Nook, with three winter 
houses. On the sand spit to the north side is one winter house, with ten or twelvo 
summer fishing camps. 

On the south side of the sand spit at the mouth of the river is the village of 
Synowgok with three winter houses. There is also a settlement of one or two house* 
on the north side. The native village near the reindeer station is called Synok. 

Picking up the fishing party (who had caught no fish) at Grantley Harbor wa 
returned to the ship at 5.30 p.m. After dinner went ashore with Mr. Lopp and 
remained until 11 o'clock. While on shore one of the herders brought in 2 quarts of 
milk taken from 6 reindeer cows. Had an interview with Charlie, a herder, con- 
cerning his future course; offered to keep him another year and give him 15 reiudeer 
for his services, or loan him and his friends 100 reindeer this fall. Also attended to 
much business connected with the station. 

July 27, after breakfast, I wrote a letter to the superintendent of the station with 
reference to the distribution of the herd — giving 100 head to the American Missionary 
Association at Cape Prince of Wales, and loaning, under certain specified circiim- 
Btances, 100 head to Antesilook and his friends. Mr. Lopp came off with the accounts 
of the station, which were audited. Arrangements were made for him to remain 
until relieved by Mr. W. A. Kjellmann, the new superintendent. At 1.15 p. m. the 
ship got Tinder way for Kotzebue Sound. 

On July 28 wo came to anchor at 7.30 p. m., near Cape Espenburg, to allow some of 
the officers and Mr. Liebes to go ashore hunting. At 11.40 p. m. we got under way 
again. 

At 4.55 a. m., July 29, the vessel grounded off Cape Blossom, and it was 7.55 p. m. 
before she floated again. Much of the day the engine was at work trying to get 
afloat. Four or five umniak loads of natives came on board, and considerable trad- 
ing was done by officers and crew. 

July 30, at 8.25 a. m., we got under way for Point Hope. 

The next morning, at 5.30 a. m., Cape Thompson was sighted, and at 8 a. m. it was 
abreast, 3 miles distant. At 11.40 a. m. we reached the' whaling station at Point 
Hope, and at 3.15 the ship was moved up nearer the village, anchoring at 4.20 p. m. 
Men and natives soon flocked aboard. Among the visitors were Dr. Driggs and Rev. 
Elijah IT. Edson, of the Episcopal Mission. The day was pleasant. 

August 1, after breakfast, I went ashore with some of the officers and Mr. Liebes. 

Last October a great storm flooded the village, so that nearly all the jjeople left 
their homes. The sea was waist deep around the Episcopal Mission house. 

Dr. Driggs upon one occasion gave one of the sick natives some powders to take. 
Meeting him four mouths afterwards, the patient was profuse in his thanks, saying 
that the medicine had completely cured him, that he was a well man now, and 
ended by pulling the package of powders out of his pocket to show that he had not 
lost them. 

At another time, meeting a funeral procession, it was stopped by the widow, who 
wanted to tell the missionary how much his medicine had relieved her late husband ; 
and, as a token of their ajipreciation, the corpse had the bottle in his hand, taking 
it to the grave with him. 

At 1 p. m. I returned to the ship. The whalers Emily Schroder, Bain, master, and 
Silver Wave, Calighau, master, were found hard ashore iu the lagoon to the west of 
Point Hope. They were blown ashore in the hurricane of October 13, 1893. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1489 

August 2, at 8.30 p. m., got nucler way for Point Barrow. 

August 4, overcast and foggy; light rain; fresli breezo. At 12.15 a. m. took in all 
Bail. At 1.30 a. m. largo tield of packed ice ahead and to the north. At 1.50 a. m. 
Bounded in 25 fathoms. At 1.25 p. m. came to anchor off a native village to the 
north and east of Wainwright Inlet. 

August 5, at 1.10 a. m., got under way. At 3.15 a. m. steamed through masses of 
floating ice resting on Cape Belcher and Sea Horse Islands. At 1.05 a. m. made fast 
to a large field of grounded ice off the United States Refuge Station, Cape Smythe 
(Point Barrow). 

August 6, after breakfast I went ashore with Captain Healy in the steam launch. 

Mr. Stevenson, the missionary, was busy framing the foundation timbers of the 
Presbyterian mission building. 

During the spring the Cape Smythe Whaling Company (Brower, Gordon, Liebea 
& Co.) took three lai'ge, one medium-sized, and some small whales, making 7,700 
pounds of marketable bone. 

Mr. Kelly, of the Pacific Steam Whaling Company, secivred 11,000 pounds of bone. 

Last June one of these stations had three whaling boats driven out to sea in a gale. 
Two of the boats succeeded in returning to the shore, but the third was crushed in 
the ice and the crew of two men, a woman, and a boy had to take refuge on a piece 
of ice, which was driven out to sea. After a while the ice upon which they had 
floated was broken up and they escaped to other pieces. Finally, after being out 
upon the ice sixty-one days, they were driven ashore 100 miles south of where they 
started from, and escaped to land. A portion of the time they were on the ice they 
had no water to drink, and for eight days they were without food. 

At Point Hope one of the young men out seal hunting was driven to sea on a cake 
of ice. Fortunately, after some days, the wind changed and floated him back again 
to land. While floating around the sea he shot and lived on three white polar bears. 

The provisions and supplies for the refuge station were landed and the captain 
took on board about 19,000 pounds of whalebone for the two companies, which he 
will take to Unalaska, from whence it can be shipped to San Francisco. In the even- 
ing the ice floe to which we were fastened showing signs of breaking up, the captain 
cast off and anchored. 

At the close of the whaling season the natives have a great celebration. Mr. Kelly 
decorates the station with bunting and gives a feast. At this festival one of the 
games (called Neklakatah) is tossing a woman into the air from a blanket. To be 
thus tossed is considered a great honor, and is given to the women who have distin- 
guished themselves by efiiciency in whaling. 

August 7 a strong current set in to the north and brought large quantities of float- 
ing ice. This became so bad that at 1 p. m. the captaiu sent ashore to get Lieutenant 
Reinburg on board. A dense fog set in and the captain being compelled to constantly 
shift his position in the ice, Lieutenant Reinburg when ho came off was unable to 
find the ship. Finding late in the night a comparatively open space of water, the 
ship was anchored, 

August 8, at 7.25 a.m., taking Lieutenant Reinburg on board, the ship got under 
way on account of the heavy running ice. On heaving up anchor found a chain 
cable about If inches hooked to it, but the heavy ice prevented our saving it. Vessel 
at half speed, working to the south through the ice. 

August 10, during the afternoon we passed Blossom Shoals, and at 10.40 p. m. came 
to anchor south of Blossom Shoals. 

August 12, at 2.55 a.m., came to anchor off Corwin Coal Mine, where the men 
watered the ship. In the afternoon, seeing a brig in the distance, the Bear got under 
way and steamed out to meet her. At 8 p. m. spoke the brig W. II. Myers, of San 
Francisco, with a cargo of freight for the whalers and the new mission at St. Law- 
rence Island. As the carrying of the St. Lawrence mission supplies into the Arctic 
might jeopardize and delay the establishment of the mission for a year, Captain Healy 
very considerately transferred those supplies to the Bear to be returned to the island. 

August 14 the officer of deck reported two vessels in sight, supposed to be the 
whalers Northern Light and California. At 11 a. m. we got under way and went out 
to meet the incoming vessels, which proved to be the California and Andrew Hides. 
From the California we received a batch of papers as late as June 23. After board- 
ing the vessels we made for Point Hope, where we dropped anchor abreast the mis- 
sion at 10.40 p. m. 

On August 16 we got under way at 3.30 a. m. At 9.25, the fog liftinjij, we made 
out East Cape. At 11.45 jj. m. we rounded south point of East Cape, and at 1.20 on 
the morning of the 17th came to anchor off the village of Enmatowan, Siberia. 

At 1.20 p. m. Lieutenant White returned on board and reported his camp at East 
Cape village. The ship was at once got under way and steamed around to East Cape, 
where Lieutenant White's party were taken on board and the native Siberians who 
had assisted him were paid off, also Siberian Jack who had acted as interpreter to 
the ship. 

ED 94 94 



1490 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

At 8 p. m. tlio ship got under vrny, stoamiug to the northwest. 

August 18, at 2.45 a. m. passed Euchowau. At 4 a. m. we noticed large quantities 
of ice i>acked in along shore. At 6.30 a. m. ice appeared in the distance, and at 7.30 
the ship entered it. Finding it too lieavy to proceed we turned around and returned 
to anchorage oft" Enmatowan village on the south side of East Cape, where wo 
dropped anchor at 3.55 j). m. 

On August 19, getting under way, we steamed around to East Cape village; at 
8.25 a. m. stood across to the Diomedes, encountering considerable lioating ice ; at 
9.15 a. m. cleared the ice, aud at 11.30 stopped oft" big Diomede village. At 12.20 p. m. 
we started for Teller Reindeer Station, where we came to anchor at 10.30 p. m. The 
evening of the 21st Mr. and Mrs. V. Gamhell, teachers and missionaries for St. LaAV- 
rence Island, were taken on hoard, aud on the morning of the 22d Mr. Lopp's sup- 
plies were received for Cape Prince of Wales. At 10,10 a. m. the ship got under way 
lor the Cape. 

At 4 p.m. spoke the whaler Korthern Light, Captain McKenna master, and we 
secured papers as late as July 3. At 5.50 ji. m. we were under way again, and at 
7.30 p. m. dropped anchor oli" Capo Prince of Wales. I went ashore and visited Mr. 
Thornton's grave as a beautiful moon was appearing above the mountain tops. 
Returned on board at 10 p. m., and at 10.15 p. m. the shij) was under way for St. 
Lawrence Island. 

August 23, iiassed Kings Island. There being no landing at St. Lawrence Island, 
the ship was headed for Indian Point, Siberia, where we anchored at 6.30 a. ni. 
August 24. Koharri and a number of the natives visited the sliip. Captain Healy 
commended Mr. and Mrs. Gambell to the good will of Koharri. They afterwards 
went ashore and visited Koharri. 

At noon of August 24 wo were again under way, aud stood for St. Lawrence Island, 
where we came to anchor at 7.50 p. m. the same day. Owing to the surf none of tlie 
natives were able to come off to the ship, but the following day, the sea having gone 
down, large numbers visited the vessel. Captain Warreu and the Leary Brothers, 
who had spent tlie winter at the whaling station on the island, were received on 
board the ship. The lumber, provisions, and other supplies for the mission were 
landed in the native boats. Mr. Gambell, the missionary, went ashore to get the 
house ready for occupancy; to assist him Captaiu Healy very kindly sent the ship's 
carpenter and a sailor; I also went ashore, rendering what assistance I could. On 
the 29th, the captain feeling it necessary to make another trip to Siberia, Mrs. Gam- 
hell was kept on board while the carpenter with Mr. Gambell were left on shore 
to get the house ready. At 8 o'clock the ship got under waj'^ for Bering Strait and 
Arctic Siberia. At 5 o'clock on the morning of the 30th we were again in the midst 
of lioating ice ; at 7.40 called at East Cape village, aud at 10.15 anchored olf Whalen. 
At 5 in the afternoon wo took on board 3 reindeer, which had been secured at this 
place, and at 8.10 in tlie evening got under way and stood to the northwest up the 
Siberian coast, liuding considerable drift ice close inshore. 

We passed Enchowan and Killourrun villages at 2 o'clock on the morning of August 
31, with increasing f^uantities of drift ice. Working slowly tlirough the ice, avo 
passed Tchupa village, and at 7 o'clock rounded High Cape aud hauled in for Cesang 
village, where wo stopped at 7.40 a. m. The ice being A^ery heavy aud thick the ship did 
not anchor, but kept Avorkiug backward and forward, dodging the lieaA^y ice Hoes. At 
9.50, lindiug that there were no deer to be had at Cesang, the ship Aveut ahead, Avork- 
ing through tlie ice up to Killourrun A'illage, Avhich we reached at 10 o'clock. Soon 
after I went ashore with Lieutenant White after reindeer. On shore avo found that 
it Avas general slaughter day. On the beach were the tents of seA^eral canoe loads 
of East Cape natives, who had come up to buy and kill reindeer for their own use. 
In one place I counted 70 slaughtered deer, Avhile a mile away another baud Avas 
being killed. The deer men were so busy supplying the JEast Capo natives that we 
could secure no attention, and at 2. 15, the ice having become dangerous, we were 
recalled to the ship, having secured but 2 deer. Soon after, the ice becoming lighter, 
we again went ashore, and returned to the A'essel with 14 animals. The next day we 
secured 5 additional deer. 

On September 2, at 4 o'clock in the morning, we got under way and started north, 
working through heavy drift ice, aud at 6 o'clock came to anchor oif Kerneeshgouu 
A'illage. Upon going ashore'we found that the herd had been driA^en off to the north 
side of the Cape Serdze. Again getting under Avay, we steamed around the cape aud 
came to anchor oft' Enwonnau at 10 o'clock. Lieutenant White and myself at once 
Avent ashore for deer. There were 3 large herds in the A'icinity. Again Ave encoun- 
tered a number of natiA'cs, from Cape Prince of V/ales, who Averc buying and killing 
on their own account. While one of the herds Avas being driven doAvn to the beach 
I took occasion to A'isit oue of the camps of the deer men. I found 7 deerskin tents. 
Around the largest were staclved 34 sleighs; another had 29, aud the others, respec- 
tively, 15, 12, 9, 7, and 0. The camp a^ggregated 102 sleighs. In tlie fall the tents, 
household oftects, and families are carried on these sleighs aud taken with the herd, 
from 50 to 150 miles into the interior. The following sjiring thej' return again to 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1491 

the coast, tling malxing two iniiiTations every year. Dnrmg tlio day 15 deer were 
secured. The uext day Lieutenant White weut ashore, hut soon returned and reported 
that the deer had atampeded during the night and that the herders had gone after 
them. All day was consumed in waiting in vain 

On September 4, there being signs of heavy ice coming in and shutting ofF our 
escai)o Ironi the bay, at 4 a. m. the ship got under way in a dense fog and worked 
slowly southward through the ht-avy Hoes, occasionally striking one miles in extent. 
]jy noon we were clear of the ice, but the fog became so dense that the captain was 
afraid to venture to pass through Bering Straits, and kept off until morning — the 
next morning passing through Bering Straits. At noon Ave stopped at tlio village of 
Cape Briuce of Wales. Mr. Lojjp being absent and there being no communicatiou 
\sith tiic shore, the ship again got under Avay, reaching the reindeer station at half 
past 'J o'clock that evening. The next morning, under the directions of JMr. K.jell- 
mann and thu Lapi)s, the reindeer were thrown overboard and made to swim ashore, 
instead of being carried ashore by boat, as njion xirevious occasions. This was a 
great improvement in the method of lauding them. The ship remained at anchor 
imtil the evening of September 26, the time being consumed in looking after the 
interests of the station. At 10 p. m. the ship got under way for St. Michael, which 
was reached at noon, September 10. At St. Michael Mr. Funston, of the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture, wlio has been spending two years in botanical studies in the 
Arctic, was received on board; also Capt. J. J. Plealy, of the Yukon River, and Mr. 
y. Wilson, correspondent of the Century Magazine, and Capt. C. Constantine, of 
the Canadian mounted police and customs service; also 20 destitute miners from the 
Yukon region. 

At noon on the 13th of September, bidding the good friends at St. Michael good-by, 
the ship got under way for St. Lawrence Island, where we arrived on the morn- 
ing of the 15th. Mr. Gambell and several boat loads of natives Avere sent on board, 
and in the afternoon a number of ua returned with them to the shore. During 
the absence of the ship Mr. (jiambell and the carpenter had built a storm door to 
the house and a good storehouse for the supplies, and fenced the whole in with a 
good, tight board fence. Various changes bad also been made in the interior arrange^ 
ment of the house, so that everything was made comfortable. At 3.15 on the IGth, 
waving our adieus to Mr. and Mrs. Gambell, who were the only white people on the 
island left alone with 300 barharous Eskimos until the good cutter should return 
next year to see how thej* were getting on, our ship got under way for the seal 
islands, which were reached on the 19th. A"o one coming from the shore, on the 
20th the captain steamed away for St. George Island, stopping a short time to get 
the mail; the voyage Avas continued to Unalaska, Avhich Ave reached on the morn- 
ing of the 21st. Here Ave found a A-ery large mail had accumulated during the sum- 
mer: also the L'nited States mail steamer Avas in the harbor, soon to leaA^e for Sitka. 
Packing my eti'ects and bidding adieu to Captain and Mrs. Healy and the officers 
and sailors of the Bear, I went aboard the Dora, Avhieh expected to sail at 6 o'clock 
on the morning of the 22d. The day opened, however, with a southeastern gale so 
severe that it AA^as not considered wise to leaAe the Avharf. This gave me an oppor- 
tunity, that I A'cry much desired, of spending the day with the teacher, Mr. Tuck, 
and the new United States commissioner, Mr. WoodAvard, United States, deputy 
marshal, Mr. Anthony, and conferring Avith them m relation to school matters in that 
place. 

Before daylight on the morning of the 23d the whistle of the mail steamer notified 
us all to get aboard. At 7 o'clock the steamer pushed off from the wharf and started 
for Sitka. Night finding us in a A'cry dangerous part of the coast, the ship hove 
to until morning. The ship rolled badly and the deadlight wiudoAvto my stateroom 
leaked to such an extent that the bed Avas saturated Avith salt Avater. On the after- 
noon of the 21th a landing was made at Belkofsky, where the ship remained at 
anchor all night. Father Alexis (a Greek priest), with Av'ife and child, went ashore. 
He has been jilaced in charge of Belkofsky and Unga, the former priest (Metro- 
polsky ) having been returned to San Francisco. The monk that was in charge of the 
Unalaska iiarish has been ordered back to liussia, and a young priest just out from 
Russia and a young Russian deacon have been placed at Unalaska. On the morn- 
ing of the 25th we had a beautiful A'iew of PavaloffAolcauo; a little smoke was seen 
issuing from the crater; the mountain was covered from crater to base Avith a fresh 
coat of snow. In the afternoon the steamer called .i short time at Sand Point, and 
then getting under way reached Unga about half jjast 3 o'clock in the afternoon. 
That afternoon and the next day were spent in looking aftermatters connected Avith 
the school at this point. The Aleut girl Mary Dushkin, 13 years of age, was placed 
in my charge to go to the Baptist school at Wood Island. 

At 5 p. m. on the 2Gth the ship got under Avay for Karluk, making the distance in 
the short space of twenty-six hours. Leaving there at midnight, SVood Island was 
reached about noon on the following day. At Wood Island the time was spent at 
Mr, Roscoe's school. The uext morning I visited and inspected the school at Kadiak 
i_ 



1492 EDUCATION REPORT, 1893-94. 

and arranged for the school gradings. Leaving Kadiak at 10 a. m. wereached Niichek 
at 5 o'clock the following afternoon. At this point we were joined by the Rev. Mr 
Donskoi, the Greek priest from Sitka, who came aboard the vessel. Leaving Nuchek 
at 3 a. m., Kyak was reached the middle of the afternoon, where we went ashore 
and visited the two trading posts that are located at that point. The barometer 
being very low and still falling, the captain concluded to remain in the harbor; a 
northeast gale continuing, we remained there the following day. In the morning a 
rejiort was brought to the shiji that the natives had brought in the night before two 
corpses of peoi)le killed from the mainland. After breakfast a number of the officers 
and passengers from the steamer went ashore and a court of inquiry was instituted. 
It seems that in a drunken row a native man had shot his wife and afterwards shot 
himself. Their friends had brought the two bodies to Kyak for burial. 

Much evil is being done among the native population through the smuggling of 
liquor, with the attending drunkenness and demoralization. The traders at the sev- 
eral i)osts speak of it very freely, but their information always concerns some other 
post than their own. At A they would tell you of the drunkenness at B, and when 
you reached 13 they would tell you of the drunkenness and disregard of the law going 
on at A. Crime was freely confessed, only it always existed at some other point 
than the one at which you were at the time visiting. The traders also report that 
large quantities of opium are smuggled in through the salmon canneries. If one is 
to believe what the traders say of one another, the condition of things is very dis- 
reputable along the whole coast. 

About noon of October 3, the gale having somewhat abated, the steamer got under 
way for Yakutat, which we reached the next day at noon. Going ashore, I made a 
short visit to the Swedish mission and school, Since their disastrous lire of two years 
ago they have built, but not completed, a very neat church. They have built two 
large hayracks, upon which they were hanging hay to cure after the old country 
fashion. After a short stay we were again under way, and at 7 o'clock on tlie morn- 
ing of the 6th of October reached the wharf at Sitka, just twenty-four hours too late 
to connect with the steamer for the States, which runs only once every two weeks. 
The two weeks, however, passed very quickly and pleasantly with the teachers and 
Bchools at that place. 

Bidding the friends at Sitka good-by, on the morning of the 18th I took the mail 
steamer Citu of Topel<a for the States, having in charge John Reinkin of Unalaska, 
and Samuel Kendall Paul of Sitka, native boys, to go to the Indian training school 
at Carlisle, Pa. That afternoon a three-hours" stop was made at Killisnoo, which 
enabled me to arrange with INIr. Spuhu with regard to suitable school grounds at that 
place. At 5 o'clock on the morning of October 19 we reached the Avharf at Juneau, 
where 1 was met by Mr. S. A. Keller and Mr. D. Davies, teachers at that place. 
Although it was still dark, I visited the native school building, which had been 
erected during the summer. At 8 o'clock we were again under way, but stopped 
some two hours at Douglas Island; from thence into the Sum Dum Harbor, where 
freight was landed for the new gold mine. The forenoon of the 20th was spent at 
Wrangel Avitli the teachers and friends at that place. Early on the morning of 
October 21 a half hour was given us at Jackson, which was improved in A'isiting the 
school and mission station. That afternoon wo again got under way and anchored 
at Mr. Miller's saltery at Hunters Bay. After taking aboard some salmon we crossed 
the bay to Suquam, reaching there about 8 p. m. The waters being unsurveyed, the 
ship remained at anchor until daylight of October 22. Then getting under way, we 
reached the saltery at Nutquah, where some salmon was taken on board. From 
thence we reached the saltery at Cordova Bay that afternoon, but, no one being at 
home to deliver the salmon, the ship turned around and went to Ketchikan, where 
we anchored for the night. 

The next morning we were at Metlakahtla, where I went ashore and had an inter- 
view with Mr. William Duncan on school and colony matters. While there 1 met a 
delegation of the Tongas natives, who were looking for a new location where they 
can unite with the Cape Fox natives in having a missionary and school. While at 
breakfast the passengers of the steamer were serenaded by the brass band, composed 
largely of former Sitka students. After breakfast the common council of the village 
asked an audience with ISIr. Duncan and myself, the main questions of discussion 
being means for increasing mail facilities and schools. 

At 11 a. m. the ship got under way and went up a fiord to the Cape Fox saltery; 
taking on the salmon, the ship returned to the custom-house at Mary Island, where 
the "inspector afloat" went ashore, and the ship at last got under way for Puget 
Sound, Avhich we reached on the evening of the 26th. Taking the train for San 
Francisco, and spending a day in settling up the accounts of the season with San 
Francisco merchants, 1 took the overland train for Washington, D, C, where I 
arrived on November 6, having completed a trij) of 23,029 miles. 

Sheldon Jackson. 

Hon. W. T. Harris, 

Commissioner of Education. 




Whalers wintering at Herschell Island. 



[Whole Number 231 

UNITED STATES BUREAU OF EDUCATION, 

KEPKINT OF CHAP'I'KU XXXIII OF THE REPORT OF THE C'OiMMISSIONER 
OF EDIICA'I'IOX FOR 1894-95. 



EDUCATION IN ALASKA 



1894-95. 



SHELDON JACKSON, D. D., 

GENERAL AGENT. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1896. 




Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Hanna, Congregational Teachers, Cape Prince of 
Wales, Alaska. 




Mr. and Mrs. V. C. Gambell, Presbyterian Teachers, Saint Lawrence 
Island, Bering Sea. 



CHAPTER XXXIir 
BEPOET ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Education, Division of Alaska, 

Washington, D. C, June 30, 1895. •! 

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following annual report of the general agent 
of education in Alaska for the year ending June 30, 1895: 

There is in Alaska a school population of from 8,000 to 10,000; of these, 1,030 were 
enrolled iu the 17 day schools sustained by the Goverumeut. In addition to the 
Government schools, the missionary societies of the Moravian, Presbyterian, Episco- 
pal, Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic churches 
sustained 24 schools with an enrollment of about 900 pupils. Of these latter, three- 
fourths were industrial pupils; these were clothed, housed, fed, and taught at the 
expense of the societies. 

St. Laun-ence Island, Bering Sea. — V. C. Gambell, teacher; enrollment of pupils, 52; 
population, barbarous Eskimos; mail, once a year. On the 15th of September, 1894, 
the revenue cutter Bear steamed away from St. Lawrence Island, leaving our two 
missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. V. C. Gambell, shut oft' from all communication with, or 
sight of, the civilized world for the next eight or ten months, as they then thought; 
but on October 2d a whale ship, which they vainly hoped would anchor, steamed 
close along the shore. When Mr. Gambell found that it would not stop, he hurried 
some natives into a boat, and, waving a coat to attract attention, rowed after it. 
The captain, seeing this, turned about and came back, taking Mr. Gambell on board. 
They had been in the Arctic over winter and were on their way to San Francisco, but 
hearing that the Qambells were on the island, had sailed near, so as to give them a 
chance to send letters or to aiford them any help they could. After Mr. Gambell left 
the steamer and returned to their island home, their complete isolation began. 

The school room is under the same roof and communicates with the house; but a 
new outside door allows the pupils entrance to it without going through the house. 

The school opened the first Monday of November, 1894. The whole village was 
excited over this event. They are like one large family. Being separated from the 
main land by so much water, they rarely mingle with other Alaskans or Siberians, 
and, of course, intermarry constantly, so that everybody is related to everybody else, 
and the interests of one are the interests of all. So the opening of school would 
naturally be common talk. The pupils, ranging in age from 16 years down, are 
principally boys, the girls being too shy to go. The men were anxious to go, too, 
but it was thought best not to have them with the boys. Mr. Gambell had been 
apprised of the fact that the native language was very difficult to acquire, and this 
he has found to be the case. He teaches the children English, and they are as apt at 
learning as the average pupils in our schools. He writes, June, 1895, that the boys 
have learned enough English to be able to make themselves understood and to under- 
stand almost anything he wanted to tell them. They are particularly quick in 
arithmetic, as far as he has taken them, and specimens of their penmanship that he 
sent home are really remarkable. One exercise was copying on paper and reading 
short sentences written on the blackboard. After only a month's teaching they could 
read at once sentences containing words that they had learned. The men visit the 
school frequently, and are very much pleased to hear the sentences read. They sit 
breathlessly attentive until a sentence is read, and laugh heartily when it is rubbed 
out. When a boy hesitates, and fails to recognize a word at once, the men grow 
excited, and say, "oo-book, oo-hook," an exclamation they use to their dogs when 
the want them to go faster. Some of the men try to write and make figures, but 
they do not succeed so well as the 15-year-old boys. In March, Mr. Gambell writes: 
"The boys are getting along well. They like number work, adding correctly and 
rapidly columns of five figures, some of them never making a mistake. Many of 
them know the multiplication table to the 'elevens.' I let them do so much of this 
because they like it, and I think they have more confidence in themselves and use 

1425 



1426 EDUCATION REPOKT, 1894-95. 

the English they know. They read well in the First Reader. I have used the pho- 
netic method of teaching reading." They are fond of ninsic, and learn the school 
songs readily. "jThe whole village has learned these songs, and they can be heard at 
almost any hour of the day or night. 

Teller Reindeer Station. — Teacher, T. L. Brevig ; enrollment, 56 ; population, Eskimo. 
There are in the native village about 60 persons under 21 years of age. With but 
three or four exceptions, all of the children under 15 and over 6, have attended school 
with greater or less regularity. The discipline has been very easy to maintain. The 
teacher complains of lack of application and concentration with the pupils. Per- 
haps his difficulty is want of a common language, as the teacher does not understand 
the Eskimo and the Eskimos have not yet gained a sufficient knowledge of English 
to understand it. 

Unalaska. — John A. Tuck, teacher, and Miss Mattie Short, assistant; enrollment of 
pupils, 39 ; population, Aleut. Good progress has been made during the year by the 
children in the practical acquisition of the English language. The greater part of 
those who have been un«ler instruction for three years or more not only read, write, 
and speak, but do their thinking in English. In geography good work has been done, 
especially in drawing and interpretation of maps. The children encounter their 
greatest difficulty in mastering arithmetic, hence more than usual atteutiou has been 
paid to their training in that subject. Many of the older pupils have fully con- 
quered the four fundamental operations so as to be fairly rapid and remarkably 
accurate in their work. One girl has progressed well in mental arithmetic, and 
handles quite complex operations in fractions with ease and readiness. The attend- 
ance during the year has been mainly from the pupils in the Methodist Mission Home. 
Last spring a large and comfortable schoolliouse and teacher's residence was erected 
at an expense of $5,000. Before it was occupied, during the prevalence of a severe 
gale, it was blown from its foundations, and the school as in former years is still 
kept in a rented building. We trust that another season will see the Government 
building repaired and in good shape for use. 

Unga. — O. R. McKinney, teacher ; enrollment, 40 ; population, Aleut. This school 
continued from September without interruption until Christmas, when it was found 
necessary to close the house a few days for repairs. Through January and February 
the entire school population of the village was enrolled. During March an epidemic 
of sickness closed the school again for three weeks. Rapid advancement was made 
in reading, spelling, writing, and hygiene, and moral lessons. In these studies they 
made better progress than the same class of children in the States ; they did not 
prove so bright, however, in aritmetic, although one class finished both decimal and 
common fractions during the year and reviewed the subjects in other books. The 
teacher has been encouraged by the special interest which the children take in the 
school. They never seem to tire of it, and often ask why they can not have school 
all the time. Over against this encouragement is the discouragement of much 
drunkenness in the community without any court of law to control the community. 
The most atrocious crimes can be committed and the perpetrator be allowed to go 
free. 

Afognak. — Mrs. C. M. Col well, teacher; enrollment, 38; population, Russian Creoles. 
During the winter a school of the Russo-Greek Church was opened in the village. 
Almost all of the inhabitants of Afognak are members of the Russian Church, and 
as the church officials insisted upon the children attending the church school half of 
each day the work of the public school was materially interfered with. 

The natives of this region are exceedingly poor, and in order that some of the 
poorer children might attend school the teacher provided them with clothing. 

Kadiak. — C. C. Solter, teacher; enrollment, 56; population, Creoles. The attend- 
ance during the year has been unusually good, some days the schoolroom being too 
small to accommodate all those wishing to attend. The teacher also reports increased 
regularity of attendance. There was a notable absence of the larger and older 
pupils, they having dropped out to go into business; one of the boys has secured a 
clerkship with the Alaska Commercial Company. Special progress was made in 
penmanship, composition, writing and drawing. Greater progress could be made if 
the pupils spoke English at home; but in their homes and out of school they hear 
nothing but the Russian language; as a natural consequence very few of the smaller 
pupils comprehend enough of English to understand what the teacher is saying to 
them. Singing continues a great attraction in the school. At the close of the school 
year an entertainment was given to a crowded audience of parents and citizens gen- 
erally. The children performed their parts well, eliciting many expressions of 
commendation from the audience. As intemperance is so rife in nearly all Alaskan 
communities it is a source of special gratitication to the teacher that the school chil- 
dren have all signed a promi-e not to taste any intoxicating liquor of any kind until 
they are 21 years of age. They show much pride in being called "temperance boys 
and girls," and sport their blue ribbon badges. A suitable woodshed has been con- 
structed during the year in connection with this schoolhouse. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION TN ALASKA. 1427 

ITmnes. — W. W. Warne, teacher; Miss Fanny Willard (native), assistant teacher ; 
enrollment, 64; population, Tblin<jet. The past year has been one of progress and 
the best of the fonr years that the present teacher has been in charge. This is 
largely due to the incieasod number of children in the Presbyterian Home. Experi- 
ments have been made with fair succees in raising garden vegetables and opening up 
a small farm. 

Sitka, No. 1. — Mrs. G. Knapp, teacher; enrollment, 37; population, -white — American 
and Russian. The opening of a parochial school in connection with the Russian 
Church and the ever changing population of the town caused a considerable diminu- 
tion in the attendance at this school. A kindergarten was conducted for the white 
children — American and Russian — during several months of the year. 

Sitka, No. 2. — Miss Cassia Patton, teacher; enrollment, 180. Several of the adult 
natives have been as anxious to learn to read and write English as the children, and 
as most of them had to work during the day, the teacher gave them instructions after 
school hours As usual, the spring migration to the fishing grounds carried with 
it the nuijority of the children. 

Juneau, No. i.— S. A. Keller, teacher; enrollment 54; population, white. The 
schoolhouse during the year has been repainted and refurnished, new sidewalks were 
built to and aronnid the schoolhouse, and pure, clean water conducted to the build- 
ing from the city waterworks; also a small sum was spent in draining the marshy, 
swampy school ground and removing some of the stumps. The work should be con- 
tinued on the playground until all of the stumps are removed and the ground thor- 
oughly drained. The school itself has received more than usual sympathy and 
encouragement from the people themselves. The pupils are reported as bright and 
intelligent beyond the average. The winter being unusually mild, the regularity of 
the attendance of the primary class was better than ever known before; at the same 
time a large percentage of the children between 6 and 14 are still very irregular, 
and the teacher, in common with all the other teachers in Alaska, pleads for some 
law obliging regular attendance. At present no school in Alaska has advanced 
beyond the ordinary grammar grade. There are some pupils, however, that wish 
very much to continue the high-school work, and the hope is expressed that in time 
» high-school department may be established which shall draw advanced pupils from 
other sections. There is also great need for a primary teacher, Juneau having 40 
children of the kindergarten age. 

Juneau, No. 2. — Miss Elizabeth Saxman, teacher; enrollment, 50; population, 
Thlinget. During the year a comfortable building has been erected in the neighbor- 
hood of the native village. Here, as in several other places, the children of the Mis- 
sion Homo (Presbyterian) were the most regular in their attendance. The branches 
taught were reading from chart to World Reader, history, language, arithmetic, 
hygiene, geography, writing, and spelling. A small stock of kindergarten materials 
supplied the teacher proved of great service. Among the pupils was a middle-aged 
man who was so anxious to learn to read that he was always present at school when- 
ever he was out of work. His diligence and zeal, although not accomplishing much 
for himself, was an inspiration to the children. 

Douglas, No. 1. — L. A.Jones, teacher; enrollment, 42 ; population, white. During 
the winter an epidemic of scarlatina interfered very much with the progress of the 
school. 

Douglas, No. 2. — Miss F. A. Work, teacher; enrollment, 26 ; population, Thlinget. 
This school consisted principally of children who were in the Friends' Mission Home. 
The pupils seemed anxious and willing to do anything required by the teacher, and 
while very bright in reading, writing, etc., seemed very dull in mathematics. As the 
Friends are proposing to establish a school the coming year for the native children, 
the Government will next season transfer this school to the neighl)orhood of the 
Treadwell Mills, where provision has been made for the erection of a suitable school- 
house and teacher's residence. 

Fort JViangel. — Miss Anna R. Kelsey, teacher; enrollment, 61 ; population, Thlinget. 
During tbe previous vacation the well lighted and ventilated schoolroom had been 
further brightened up by a fresh coat of paint, adding much to its attractiveness to 
the children. The school has a moderate supply of apparatus, embracing physiolog- 
ical charts, maps, globe, numeral frame, unabridged dictionary, etc. A small supply 
of kindergarten material furnished the teacher has proved a valuable assistance. As 
at the other schools of the place, a Christmas entertainment was gi*en the pupils. 
Much complaint is made ot irregular attendance, many, even of children of 7 and 8 
years of age, being kept from school to attend the native dances. A spirit of emula- 
tion, a desire to stand well in their classes, which has sprung up helped to secure 
good progress. 

Klawack. — Miss Anna R. Kelsey, teacher; enrollment, 50; population, Thlinget. 
Owing to the smallness of the appropriation of Congress, this school has been closed 
for several years, and was opened during the present summer only during the vaca- 
tion of the school at Fort Wrangel ; but little more was accomplished than to keep up 



1428 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

a lingering hope in the minds of the population that some day they may be able to 
have school facilities for their cliildren. 

Jackson. — Mrs. C. G. McLeod, teacher ; enrollment, 80 ; population, Thlingot. From 
year to year decided improvement is seen in the influence of the school upon the vil- 
lage. During the past year for the first time sufficient progress had been made to 
grade the school. The children are also showing a greater anxiety for education 
than formerly. A mother said to the teacher with regard to her S-year-old boy: 
'•What is the matter with Powell? He did not formerly care much for school; now 
he seems hungry for it, and frequently when the family breakfast is late, goes without 
his breakfast rather than be late at school." 

Church Missions. 

Cape Prince of Wales. — American Missionary Association (Congregational), Mr. and 
Mrs. William T. Lopp, missionaries; enrollment, 142, population, Eskimo. Upon 
the murder of Mr. H. R. Thornton, on August 19, 1893, there being no way of com- 
municating with the outside world and securing another missionary, the station 
was suspended. In August, 1894, Mr. and Mrs. Lopp, who had been previously 
associated with Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, reopened the station. The past year has 
been the most successful and prosperous that the station has ever had. The total 
enrollment of the school was 142, and the average daily attendance during the 
school year was 108. In addition to the general exercises of the schoolroom, Mrs. 
Lopp conducted private classes of the advanced pupils and instructed the girls in 
knitting and sewing. In the fall of 1894, the Government gave the station 119 head 
of reindeer. During the past spring 78 fawns were born to the herd, of which 71 
lived ; at the present time the herd numbers 171. The reindeer were cared for by 
one experienced Siberian and five native Eskimo boys, ranging in ages from 14 to 19. 
Until April these herders lived in a log house 7 miles north of the village, and since 
then they have lived in a tent. The winter was unusually severe, and on several 
occasions when blizzards were raging the herd or parts of it were lost; but when 
the weather cleared np the missing ones were always found. Early in the winter of 
1894 the natives seemed much interested in religion, so much so that a letter was 
sent to the Swedish Evangelical missions on Norton Sound inviting some of them 
to visit and help conduct a revival meeting. They responded by sending, in March, 
the Rev. David Johnson, who held special meetings for several weeks, with the 
result that a number of the Eskimos renounced their heathenism and accepted the. 
religion of their teachers. Committees from a number of native villages have 
applied to Mr. Lopp to provide them schools. 

SWEDISH EVANGELICAL UNION MISSIONS. 

Unalaklik. — Missionaries, Rev. and ]Mrs. A. E. Karlson, Mr. David Johnson, Miss 
Hauna Svenson, and Miss Malvina Johnson; population, Eskimo; enrollment, 64. 
This is the central station on Norton Sound. 

Golovin Bay. — Native missionaries. Rev. August Anderson, Rev. Mrs. N. O. Hult- 
berg, and Mr. Frank Kameroff; enrollment, 49. 

Yakvtat. — Missionaries, Rev. and Mrs. Alb in Johnson, Rev. K, J. Hendrickson, and 
Miss Sehna Peterson; enrollment, 60; population, Thlinget. 

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL MISSIONS. 

Anvik. — Rev. and Mrs. J. W. Chapman, Miss Bertha W. Sabine, and Dr. Mary V. 
Glenton, missionaries; population, Ingilik. During the year a new church building 
has been erected, and also a schoolhouse with accommodations for a few girls as 
boarding pupils; 3 girls were received as boarders during the winter. School was 
kept 173 days, with an average daily attendance of 16. Great xirominence was given 
to instruction in English, with fretjuent translation exercises of native words into 
English and English into the Ingilik language; also the daily work has been first 
reader, reading chart, blackboard exercises, writing on slates, and translation exer- 
cises. During the three winter months Mr. Chapman took some of the older boys 
and gave them additional lessons outside of school hours. They can read at sight 
any simple English, write a clear, legible hand, translate fluently, and express 
themselves clearly in writing. A few of them are beginning to talk considerable 
English. A number of the psalms and hymns have beeu memorized by the school. 
The boarding girls take great interest in housework. Margaret, 10 years of age, 
makes excellent bread, biscuits, boiled rice, cleans fish or grouse, and keeps every- 
thiug about the kitchen neat and bright. The day 7iupils among the girls do not make 
the same progress or take the same interest that the boys do. During the year Dr. 
Glenton has done much to mitigate the suffering of the people from disease and to 
teach the younger portion of them more attention to sanitary laws. Their language is 
the Ingilik. One of the teachers writes that the great trial of their work is not so 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1429 

mnch isolation from the workl with but oiio niuil a year, nor the long, dark days of 
the Arctic winter, nor the severe cold, 40^^ below zero, but the tlirce months of mos- 
quitoes in Slimmer, beside which the other annoyances become pleasures. 

Si. James Mission, Fort Adams. — IMissionarios, Kev. and Mrs. J. L. Prevost, and 
Dr. Mary V. Glenton, medical niissioiKiry. Tlio work at this station was suspended 
during the year while Mr. Prevost was East securing a needed rest. 

Point Hope. — Missionaries. John B. Driggs, M. D., and Rev. H. E. ImIsoh ; enrollment, 
86; population, Eskimo. The advancement of the children, while somewhat slow, 
has shown an improvement over prece<ling years and the question has not so mueh 
been how to secure the attendance of tlie children as to give attention to the num- 
ber that come. This speaks well lor the interest of the children, as the schoolhouse 
is more than a mile from the nearest residence, and a 2-mile round trip to school and 
return in that Arctic climate is no small journey. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONS. 

The foundation of these missions on the Yukon River dates from 1886. The priests 
entered the Yukon Valley by way of Juneau, and iirst settled at Nulato, where a 
small day school was started. In 1888-89 a new site was selected lower down the 
river, and called Holy Cross Mission. This is situated about 350 miles from the 
mouth of the Yukon and is known on the map as Koserefski. Four sisters of St. 
Anne arrived, and a boarding school was started, which has proved to be most sat- 
isfactory. Soon about 40 girls and 30 boys were collected; several of these were 
very young, some only 3 to 4 years. 

The majority of the pupils remain all the year; only a few of the children of 
traders go to their homes during the vacation season. With the increase of pupils 
extra help was needed and seven more Sisters were sent up. 

The girls are taught how to sew and to make their clothing, and are also instructed 
in their native fur work, bootniaking, etc., by an Indian woman who has been with 
the Sisters from the start. The Sisters cultivate a large garden which produces 
potatoes, turnips, cabbage, cauliflower, radishes, and carrots. Experiments with 
other vegetables are made, and a large variety of hardy flowers have been raised 
with great success. The priests have also an extensive garden — this year one entire 
acre has been planted with potatoes. Timothy has been introduced, and its pros- 
pects are most favorable. The garden work is carried on entirely by the children. 
The natives of the neighboring village begin to show some little interest in garden- 
ing, but as yet none have acted on our advice to attempt a garden for themselves. 
They have coined a word meaning "big leaves," by which they designate cabbage, 
and are yet resting after this first agricultural eff"ort. As an object lesson for them, 
we transplanted a number of wild raspberries and currants to a corner of the garden, 
and hope to improve these fruits by cultivation. 

The children are taught to read and write, and the simple rules of arithmetic. 
They all, as a rule, write very beautifully, and also readily learn drawing. English 
is always spoken, and in a very short time there will hardly be found a village on the 
Yukon where a few English-speaking young people are wanting. 

In connection with the boarding school at Holy Cross there is also a day school. 
This is held in a separate building, and is forthe children of the adjoining village. 
The average attendance is about 30, and a number of women come very regularly. 
These receive a lunch of bread ami tea in the middle of the day. 

Innuit School. — Last year a school was started in the Delta region for the benefit of 
the coast Eskimo. Four Sisters have charge, and the routine, etc., is carried on 
exactly as at Holy Cross. There are two villages situated about forty-five minutes' 
walk from the school, and the children come with great regularity. Only a few as 
yet have been admitted as boarders, for experience teaches that it is better to keep 
them for a while on probation as day scholars. The Eskimos are most devoted par- 
ents and very loath to surrender their ofispring. When, little by little, they see the 
benefit their objections fade away. 

Eusso-Greek Church. — The Russian Church has numerous stations along the southern 
coast of Alaska, with one on the Nushagak River, one upou the Yukon, and one at 
St. Michael. 

MORATIAN MISSIONS. 

Bethel. — Missionaries, Rev. and Mrs. John H. Kilbuck, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Hel- 
mich,Miss Mary Mack, and George Nokochluch (native) and Miss Philippine King; 
enrollment of pupils, 32; population, Eskimo. The school work was recommenced 
July 21, and was carried on very mnch as in previous years without any special 
changes or incidents to mark its even course. A special Bible class of the oldest boys 
was organized, who read the English fluently and translate readily into the native 
language. They are to be trained as catechists to visit and preach in villages when 
the white missionaries can not go. At the same time the missionaries form themselvea 



1430 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

into a class for the study of the native language. In the last spring an Eskimo hj 
the name of Neck invented a system of hieroglyphics for writing their language. 
He has translated several things into those characters, among them being the manual 
of the church and many of the parables and incidents in the life of the Savior He 
can read this as readily as we read our print. On the 4th of October Miss King was 
transferred from Ongavig in order to assume the duties of the matron of the school. 
The Rev. Mr. Kilbuck had a severe attack of pneumonia which laid him aside for 
work from November to March. This, however, called out the zeal of the native ele- 
ment, and the catechists made eleven preaching journeys in Mr. Kilbuck's place. 
The interest created by these preaching tours was so great that the three villages of 
Napaskiegamieut, Napagjechagamitut, and Loamavigamieut have each asked for a 
religious teacher to reside permanently in their village. During the fall an impor- 
tant conference was held, in attendance upon which there were 21 native helpers and 
delegates in addition to the missionaries. At this conference the work was carefully 
mapped out for the year. During Mr. Kilbuck's sickness the shamans had a great 
gathering of the people at Qurechlagamieut for the purpose of creating opposition to 
the missionaries. They claimed that by their sorcery they had made Mr. Kilbuck 
sick, and that he would die; and that they would make all the teachers sick and 
die, and all the people that believed in the teaching of the missionaries should die. 
After they had worked themselves up to considerable frenzy against the mission 
work, David Skuviuk, an Eskimo boy who had attended school at Carlisle, Pa., got 
np before the assembled crowd and made an address so striking and convincing that 
the opposition was allayed and the assembly was turned from denunciation and 
hatred to praise and friendliness. He was followed by several of the schoolboys 
offering prayer. The boys taking part in such a large assemblage and in presence 
of their elders was a thing never before seen in that section. After the service one 
of the principal men from the seacoast said: "I have argued with men, but they 
have never shaken my determination to hold to the old tradition ; but that little boy, 
in the presence of this audience, by his prayer unsettles me ; there is something more 
than human that enables that boy to stand up and speak like that." The year has 
been one of large spiritual interest, 

Oiigavig. — Missionaries, Rev. and Mrs. Ernst L, Weber and Mr. and Mrs. David 
Skuviuk (natives) ; enrollment in school, 21. Twenty-six persons were confirmed to 
the church during the year, the native church numbering 52 communicants. 

Carmel. — Missionaries, Rev. and Mrs. John Schoechert, Misses Mary and Emma 
Huber; enrollment in school, 30, and average of 27; population, Eskimo. Nineteen 
boys and 9 girls were boarded in the home. During the year 13 communicants were 
added to the chxirch. A temperance society was also formed, and a paper was signed 
by nearly all the fishermen and white men on the Nushagak River, promising their 
support in aid of eftbrts to maintain order and prevent the natives from making 
intoxicants 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL MISSIONS. 

Unalaska. — Missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Tuck; attendance, 30 boarders; 
population, Aleut. During the year a commodious two-story building has been 
erected for the Jesse Lee Memorial Home, costing about $5,000. Many of the 30 girls 
in the home are orphan waifs, gathered from various portions of the Aleutian chain 
of islands; they have been taken in, housed, fed, clothed, and educated; they are 
taken out of the misery and degradation that surrounded them in their aboriginal 
state, and are being trained up to become a civilized race, the future wives and 
mothers of that section of the country. In the vast territory tributary to Unalaska 
are numerous children, many of them children of white men and native mothers 
whose fathers have abandoned their mothers. Left to the care of poor, ignorant, 
and often drunken mothers, with no one to provide suitable food and clothing, in 
destitution and want, growing up like animals, it is not wonderful that this central 
home seems to them the very gate of heaven. Once under its Christian influences 
they rapidly become an independent, well-behaved set of children. Those who have 
been inmates of the home for three years or more, not only read, write, and speak, 
but seem to do their thinking in English. This is one of the bright spots in the 
midst of the general darkness and heathenism of western Alaska. In the fall of 1895 
Mr. and Mrs. Tuck retired from the charge of the home, Mr. Tuck giving his entire 
attention as principal of the Government school. Miss Agnes I. Sowle, of Hagaman,^ 
N. Y., was appointed to the principalship of the home: Miss E. Mellor, assistant. 

BAPTIST MISSIONS. 

Wood Island. — Missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Roscoe and Miss Lulu Goodchild; 
attendance, 25 boarders; population, Russian creole. This mission is the only one 
in a distance of 1,100 miles. It is equipped with a good two-story frame building. 
At the close of the year Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe expect to retire from the work; their 
places to be supplied by Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Coe and Miss Hattie Snow, There axe 




31rs. c ..■ :Miss r,. Gooilchil 



Rev, C. P. Cu 



Baptist Teachers, Wood Island. 



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REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1431 

hnndrpcls of native settleinentH tributary to the iniHsiou, and the extent of the work 
ia liiMitod by tlie ainoiint of fiiiidB whicli the Woman's American iiaptiat Home 
Miflsiouary Society can secure for that purpose. 

INDEPENDENT MISSION. 

MefldkaMla. — Mr. William Duncan, superintendent; enrollment, 105; population, 
Tsimpsheans. This uiiiijuc Hettlemeut continues on the even course of its way; year 
by year in-ogress is made. During the past year a handsome church has been erected 
by the community. The salmon cannery, in addition to ])ayinf!j out $14,000 in wages 
to the community, has netted a dividend of 15 per cent upon capital iuvested. 

PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS. 

Point Barrow. — During the fall of 1894 and spring of 1805 Mr. L. M. Stevenson 
Bucci'eded in erecting and completing the mission house. Efforts were commenced 
as early as 18'Jl to send to this point building material, but owing to the inaccessi- 
bility of the station (300 miles north of the Arctic Circle), these efforts failed year 
after year until 1804. The erection of this house secures a comfortable home for the 
missionary, and furnishes an op])ortunity of carrying on his work with greater effi- 
ciency. During 1894-95 school was kept during November, December, and January, 
with an average daily attendance for two months of 51. Studies taught were spell- 
ing, first and second readers, and arithmetic. This station greatly needs a devoted 
man and his wife, who will go there expecting to make it their life work. 

Last summer the revenue cutter was prevented by the arctic ice from reaching the 
Point, and the mission this winter is without its usual supplies. Owing to this, it 
has been reported that the school is closed. 

St. Lawrence Island. — This large island is situated in the northern part of Bering 
Sea, almost under the Arctic Circle. In 1894 Mr. and Mrs. V. C. Gambell, of Wapello, 
Iowa, were lauded and left there by the U. S. revenue cutter Bear, after a long and 
perilous trip from San Francisco to Bering Strait on a whaler. 

The house which had been built three years previous was found comfortable, and 
the work more pleasant than expected. The school grew in interest from tlie open- 
ing to the close. At first all ages and classes came, crowding the schoolroom to 
suffocation. To secure better results, the pupils were limited to the children and 
young men and women. They proved apt scholars and took a pride, out of school, 
in airing their English, repeating to their parents and friends the English names of 
familiar objects. There was also no difficulty in preserving discipline, the young 
people seemingly not knowing how to act disrespectfully to their elders. After 
school the teachers frequently accompanied the pupils out upon the ice, climbing 
and sliding down the small icebergs or hillocks; sometimes out to a lake, where the 
ekates of the teachers were an unfailing source of interest to the pupils. The year 
has been one of mtich success in the work. Last summer a good sewing machine 
and a cabinet organ were sent to the mission. Mr. and Mrs. Gambell sent by their 
annual mail a check for $25 for the new Christian college in Utah. Point Barrow 
and St. Lawrence Island have a mail but once a year. 

"Last winter was a very trying one for the native population. Food was scarcer 
than it had been any time since the famine of ten years ago, when three village* 
starved to death. As they depend almost entirely upon the sea for their food, the 
condition of the ice is a very important matter to them. When the wind is toward 
the shore, the men go out to considerable distances, seeking walrus, seals, and whale. 
Last winter while a large number were out a strong north wind suddenly set in, driv- 
ing the ice from the shore and exposing them to great danger. AH but four reached 
land in a short time, but these four were out until the next morning and almost 
perished. A snow storm set in, hiding the village from them; so a light was hoisted 
to the vane of the teacher's house, and the big bell kept tolling all night, enabling 
them to keep their bearings, as they could not otherwise have done. When, as hap- 
pened to be the case last winter, the north wind brings the ice down in great blocks, 
and piles it up high as haystacks along the beach and far out into the sea, the natives 
are not able to go out from laud, and great destitution prevails. Every seal that is 
caught is divided among the people, suliering having taught them compassion. The 
want of food Avas so great that in some houses every scrap of food was eaten, even 
to the walrus hide, which can be compared to nothing but the raw hide in a riding 
"whip. Some of the natives had eaten even their dogs, which are as valuable to them 
as horses to us. Mr. Gambell gave as freely as possible of his own stores, always, 
however, exacting something in return, so as not to foster begging among them, a 
trait that is sadly prevalent. During the time of greatest straits, he several times 
gave the school, 30 or 40 boys, a dinner. Beans were once the bill of fare. While 
the meal was in progress he gave them the empty tin cans, telling them that he had 
no further use for them. The guests immediately ceased eating, hungry as they were, 
packed the beans back into the cans, and carried tiiem home to share with theii 



1432 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

families. When lie gives them hard tack for shoveling snow, they carry it home to 
divide with the starving ones there. Where, in our country, would we find such self- 
denial and thoughtfulness among a crowd of hungry, starving boys? This destitu- 
tion has greatly touched the missionaries. They forbear to waste a scrap of food, 
'nothing being thrown out but potato parings and the scrapings of the mush pot.' 
They one day noticed the boys picking up something from the yard, and on investi- 
gation found it to be cherry seeds that they were saving to get the pits from to eat." 

Haines, — From St. Lawrence Island to Haines is a journey of about 2,000 milea. 
At Haines is the ordinary force of workers, Rev. and Mrs. W. W. Warne, Miss A. M. 
Sheets, and Miss Fannie Willard (native). The sowing has been followed by the 
reaping, aud the teachers are rejoicing in an outpouring of God's spirit upon the 
natives. The religious meetings are bo crowded that all who would like can not 
attend. The greatness of the blessing necessitates an enlargement of the work. 
The schoolhouse, used also for church, should be enlarged so as to hold from 250 to 
300. Also a consecrated layman and wife should be sent to relieve Mr. Warne of a 
portion of his secular duties aud give him more time for evangelistic work. 

Hoonah. — Here Mrs. John W. McFarland and Mrs. Mary Howell, two lone women, 
are holdiug the fort. They look after all the interests of the village, hear and settle 
disputes, care for the sick, keep school, aud carry on all the religious services. This 
they have been doing for two years past. They greatly need the help of a devoted 
minister, aud the Board of Home Missions is now corresponding with a student at 
McCormick Seminary for the place. 

Juneaxi. — The workers in the native mission are Rev. and Mrs. L. F. Jones, Miss 
Sue Davis, Miss M. E. Gould, and Mr. Frederick Moore (native). The home, owing 
to the inability of the woman's executive committee to supplj' the necessary support, 
has not been as full as usual. The progress of those left in it, however, has been 
encouraging. The attendance at church continues good, and every communion sees 
new ones receiving Christian baptism and makiug a public profession of their faith 
in Christ and commencing a Christian life. 

The white church is still without a pastor. There is a good probability, however, 
that one will be seut this coming spring. It is a very needy and important field. 
Rev. Mr. Jones, in addition to his work for the natives, is doing what he can in hold- 
ing services and looking after the interests of the white population. 

Sitka. — This central mission station continues to make progress from year to year. 
At the present time Mr. Austin writes that a very gracious revival is in progress and 
a large number have been received into the church on profession of faith. The native 
church now numbers over 600 communicants. 

The attendance at the industrial school is smaller than lasual as over 50 pupils had 
to be seut away last year on account of scarcity of funds. If the church at large 
could see the result of sending away these immortal beings, just coming to a knowl- 
edge of the light, the treasury would be filled to overflowing even in these hard 
times. Some of the girls sent away were sold by their friends, one to a Chinaman. 
Rev. A. E. Austin continues pastor of both the native and white churches, and Mr. 
U. P. ShuU is superintendent of the industrial school. Professor Shull has an efficient 
corps of 13 godly men and women to assist him in the school. Messrs. Shull, Austin, 
and Wilbur issue a small monthly paper called the North Star, that should be in 
every family in the church. 

Fort Wrangell. — This oldest mission station has had many reverses and drawbacks 
during its existence, but Rev. and Mrs. Clarence Thwlng are bravely toiling away. 
The home has been closed from want of funds. Dr. Thwing publishes a small quar- 
terly, the Northern Light, which is full of missionary news. If those who complain 
of want of material to interest missionary meetings will subscribe for the North 
Star and Northern Light they will be supplied with Alaska matter at least. 

Jackson. — The workers are Rev. and Mrs. J. L. Gould, Mrs. A. R. McFarland, and 
Miss A. J. Manning. Miss C. Baker was transferred last fall from the mission to the 
Government school. The boys' home has been discontinued for want of funds. This 
is an important field. 

Saxman. — For seventeen years past the Cape Fox and Port Tongas natives have 
been clamoring for a missionary. They were so few in number that the church 
would not be justified in establishing two missions. They were informed, however, 
that if the two tribes would settle in one place their request would be granted. 

To assist in bringing this about, in the early winter of 1886 Mr. S. A. Saxman, 
Mr. Louis Paul, and Mr. Edgar started to select a suitable place. They were lost at 
sea in a storm, and for a time the whole matter dropped. In 1894 the two tribes 
again became clamorous for a missionary, and on the 4th and 5th of July, 1895, I 
held a convention with them on the subject. A site was selected and the people 
agreed to abandon their present villages and build upon the new site in order to 
have school and church privileges. In moving to the new place they sign a paper, 
similar to that required for settlement in Metlakahtla, and which is in effect that 
no intoxicating liquors shall be brought into the village, none of their former 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 



1433 



heathen customs, dances, rites, etc., shall be practiced, that when sick they will not 
apply to a shaman, and that they will attend church, school, etc, 

Mr. James W. Young, with Heury Phillips as iutisrpreter and assistant, is in 
charge of the Government school. A couseciaced minister and wile will here find a 
door of usefulness wide open — a needy field where the people are hungry for the 
gospel, and an opportunity to mold the destinies of two tribes and bring them out 
of heathen darkness and barbarism into the marvelous light and joy of a Christian 
civilization. The new station has been named Saxman. 

Klawack. — This station is still closed for want of funds. Miss A. Kelsey, of Fort 
Wrangell, taught the school for three months during last summer. Kev. Mr. Gould, 
of Jackson, has occasionally given the place some attention, and with much encour- 
agement. 

Personnel. 

Dr. Sheldon Jackson, Alaska, general agent of education in Alaska; William 
Hamilton, Pennsylvania, assistant agent of education in Alaska; William A. Kelly, 
Pennsylvania, superintendent of schools for the southeastern district of Alaska. 

The First Comptroller of the United States Treasury, in a letter dated February 
5, 1894, made a ruling that the voucher of James Sheakley, governor of Alaska, for 
services as councillor of the office of education in Alaska, from January 1 to June 30, 
1894, amounting to $100, could not be paid for the reason that he was a United 
States official drawing a salary from the Government, and could not be paid a second 
salary for looking after school matters. The advisory board was composed of the 
governor of the Territory, the United States district judge, and the general agent of 
education, all three officers of the Government, and as this decision prevented the 
payment of their compensation for extra services the advisory board was discontinued. 

Local School Committees. 

Sitka: Edward de Groff, Chas. D. Rogers, John G. Brady. Juneau: Karl Koehler, 
John G. Held. Douglas : P. H. Fox, Albert Anderson. Fort Wrangell : Thos. A. 
Willson, Finis Cagle, W. G. Thomas. Jackson : Jas. W. Young, G. Loomis Gould. 
Metlakahtla: William Duncan, David J. Leask. Kadiak: Nicolai Kashevaroff, F. 
Sargent, H. P. Cope. Unga: C. M. Dederick, Michael Dowd, George Levitt, 
Unalaska: N. B. Anthony. 

Teachers of puilic schools. 



School. 



Teacher. 



State. 



Sitka, No. 1 

Sitka,No.2 

Juneau, No. 1 

Juneau, No. 2 

Douglas, No. 1 

Douglas, No.2 

Wrangell 

Metlakahtla 

Jaokson 

H^nea , 

Eadlak 

TTuga 

Afognak 

TJnalaska 

TjDalasba 

Port Clarence 

St. Lawrence Island 

Keiudeer station at Port Clarence 



Mrs. Gertrude Knapp 

Miss Cassia Patton 

S. A. Keller 

Miss Elizabeth Saxman 

Lathan A. Jones 

Miss F.J. Work 

Miss A. R. Kelsey 

William Duncan 

Mrs. C. G. McLeod 

W.W.Warne 

C.C. Solter 

O. R. McKinney 

Mrs. C. M. ColweU 

John A. Tuck 

Miss M. J. Short 

T. L. Brevig 

V.C. Gam bell 

W. A. Kjellmann, superintendent 

T. L. Brevig 

M. A. Eira, Frederik Larsen, Johau 
Speinsen Tormensis, Mikkel Josef- 
ser Nakkila, Per Alaakaer Kist, 
Aslak Laraen Somby. 



Pennsylvania. 

Do. 
Indiana. 
Pennsylvania. 
Indiana. 
lUinous. 
Pennsylvania. 
England. 
West Virginia. 
New Jersey. 
Kansas. 
Pennsylvania. 
Alaska. 

Massachusettl. 
Arkansas. 
Minnesota. 
Iowa. 
Wisconsin. 

Do. 
Lapland. 



1434 



EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 



Statistics of education in Alaska. 



Public schools. 



Afognak 

Douglas City, No. I. . 
Douglas City, No. 2. . 

Fort Wrang'ell 

Haines 

Jackson 

Juneau, No. 1 

Juneau, No. 2 

Kartiak 

Karluk 

Killisnoo 

Klawock 

Sitka,No.l 

Sitka, No. 2 

Unga 

UnalMska 

Port Clarence 

Metlakahtla 

St. Lawrence Island . 



Enrollment. 



(6) 



35 

ih) 
(b) 
106 

43 
123 
236 
(6) 

59 
(6) 
125 
184 

60 
138 

35 



(6) 



(b) 



(6) 



(b) 



(6) 



(6) 



40 
13 
108 
49 
54 
82 
23 
61 
74 
(b) 
137 
(6) 
50 
48 
35 



38 
30 
87 
54 
41 
90 
25 
65 
59 

(6) 
75 

(b) 
43 

110 
36 
24 
30 



Teachers in 

the public schools, 

1894-95. 



Mrs. C. M. Coiwell. 
L. A.Jones. 
Miss F. J. Work. 
Miss A. R. Kelsey. 
W. W. Wanie. 
Mrs. C. G. McLeod. 
S. A. Keller. 
Miss E. Saxman. 
C. C. Solter. 



Miss A. R. Kelsey. 
Mrs. G. Knapp. 
Miss C. Patton. 
O. R. McKinney. 
J. A. Tuck. 
T. L. Brevig. 
William Duncan. 
V. C. Gambell. 



a Enrollment not known. 



6 No school. 



Appropriations for education in Alaska. 

First grant to establish schools, 18S4 $25, 000 

Annual grants, school year — 

1886-87 15,000 

1887-88 25,000 

1888-89 40,000 

1889-90 50,000 

1890-91 50,000 

1891-92 50,000 

1892-93 40,000 

1893-94 30,000 

1894-95 30,000 

1895-96 30,000 



TEACHERS AND EMPLOYEES IN CHUUCH MISSION SCHOOLS. 

Anvik (Episcopal): Rev. and Mrs. J. "W. Chapman, Miss Bertha W. Sabine, Mary 
V. Glenton. 

Point Hope: Rev. E. H. Edson, J. B. Driggs, M. D. 

Yaliutat (Swedish Evangelical): Rev. H. J. Hendrickson, Rev. and Mrs. Albin 
Johnson, Miss Selma Peterson. 

Unalaklik: Rev. A. E. Karlson, Mr. David Johnson, Miss Malvina Johnson. 

Golovin Bay : Rev. August Anderson, Rev. N. O. Hultberg, Mrs. N. G. Hultberg, 
Mr. Frank Kameroff, assistant. 

Bethel (Moravian): Rev. and Mrs. John H. Kilbuck, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Hel- 
mick, Miss Mary Mack, Miss Phillippine King, and George Nokochluch (native). 

Carmel : Rev. and Mrs. John Schoechert, Misses Mary and Emma Huber. 

Ugavig: Rev. and Mrs. Ernst L. Weber, Miss Philipine King, David Skuviuk 
(native). 

Quiuehaha: Kawagaleg (native). 

Kozyrevski (Roman Catholic) : Rev. Paschal Tosi, prefect apostle of Alaska; Rev. 
R. Crimont, S. J. ; Brother Rosatti, S. J. : Brother Marchesio, S. J. ; Brother Cunning- 
ham, S. J. ; Sisters M. Stephen, M. Joseph, M. Winifred, M. Anguilbert, M. Heloise, 
M. Damascene. 

Nulato: Rev. A. Ragaru, S. J.; Rev. F. Monroe, S. J.; Brother Giordana, S. J. 

Shageluk Station : Rev. William Judge, S.J. 

Kuskokwim River, Urhhamute: Rev. A. Robant, S. J. 

St. Josephs, Yukon Delta: Rev. J. Treca, S. J.; Rev. A. Parodi, S. J.; Rev. F. 
Barnum, S. J. ; Brother Twohigg, S. J. ; Brother Negro, S. J. 

Girls' School: Sisters M. Zypherine, M. Benedict, M. Prudence, M. Pauline. 

Juneau : Rev. John Althoff, Sisters Mary Zeuo, M. Peter, and M. Bousecouer. 

Cape Prince of Wales (Congregationalist): Mr. and Mrs. William T. Lopp. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1435 

Wood Island (Baptist) : Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Roscoe, Miss Lulu C. Goodchild. 

Uiialaska (Methodist) : Mr. and Mrs. John A. Tuck. 

Douglas and Kake stations (Friends) : No rejxjrt. 

Haiuos (Presbyterian) : Eev. W, W. Warne, Miss Anna May Sheets, Miss Frances H. 
Willard (native). 

Fort Wrangell : Rev. Clarence Thwing, Mrs. Clarence Thwing. 

Hoonah Mission: Mrs. J. W. McFarland, Mrs. Mary E. Howell. 

Hydali Mission: Rev. J. Loomis Gould, Mrs. A. R. McFarland, Miss Christeana 
Balver, Mrs. R. R. Gould, Frank P. Looiuis, Mrs. Frank P. Loomis. 

•Juneau Mission: Rev. L. F. Jones, Mrs. L. F. Jones, Miss Susan Davis, Miss Mollie 
E. Gould, Miss Etta R. Berk, F. L. Moore. 

Point Barrow: L. M. Stevenson. 

St. Lawrence: V. C. Gambell and Mrs. V. C. Gambell. 

Sitka Mission: Rev. A. E. Austin, Mr. U. P. ShuU, superintendent; Mrs. A. E. 
Austin, Mrs. U. P. ShuU, Mrs. Margaret C. Wade, Miss Hattie E. Weaver, Mrs. 
Matilda K. Paul (native), Mrs. Ella C. Heizer, Mrs. Margaret A. Saxman, Mrs. Sadie 
L. Wallace, Miss Essie Gibson, A. T. Simson, Mrs. A. T. Sirason, J. A. Shields, John 
E. Gamble, Willie Wells, B. K. Wilbur, M. D., Mrs. Adelia H. Carter, Charles E. 
Coates, Mrs. Charles E. Coates, Mr. Solberg, Mr. George J. Beck, Mr. F. E, Frobese, 

ITINERARY. 

On the 6th of May I left Washington for Alaska, and reached the mail steamer 
City of Topeka at Seattle on the 24th. Schools and stations were visited during the 
summer at Metlakahtia, Fort Wrangell, Juneau, Douglas, Haines, and Sitka. 

In July I made a special trip to the Cape Fox and Port Tongass Thlingets. For 
eighteen years past they have again and again asked for a school. As they were very 
much scattered they were told that it would not be practicable to place a school in 
each of their villages — that if they would unite in one place their request would be 
granted. To assist in bringing this about in 1886 Mr. and Mrs. Louis Paul were sent 
by the Home Mission Society of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. and Mrs. S. A. 
Saxman by the Government to establish a school and mission work. 

During the winter of 1886-87 Messrs. Saxman, Paul, and Edgar, while off in search 
of a suitable location for the new village, were drowned, and the enterprise, for the 
time being, was abandoned. 

Unexpectedly in the spring of 1895 a special appropriation of Congress opened 
the way for a school building and negotiations were reopened. 

The leading men of both tribes were notified, and a council called to meet me at 
Ketchikan July 4. During the morning of that day a small steamer passing up the 
coast made a landing and sold some liquor, upon which several of the leading men 
got drunk. 

This delayed the council until the 5th. On the 5th there was a large attendance 
of men, with a long, full, and satisfactory consideration of the question of a new 
village and school. 

With considerable unanimity public sentiment was in favor of a site at the lower 
end of Tongass Narrows. It was visited, carefully looked over, and a site marked 
for the schoolhouse. 

The building, containing a schoolroom and a teachers' residence, was erected 
during August. 

The consolidated village was named Saxman after the Government teacher who 
lost his life in looking for a suitable location for the village. 

On the 15th of August I was back again at the office in Washington. The super- 
vision of western and Arctic Alaska was this year delegated to my assistant, Mr. 
William Hamilton. 

Leaving Washington on the 15th of April Mr. Hamilton reached Tacoma six days 
later, and took the City of Topeka for Sitka. At Sitka, taking passage May 1 on the 
mail steamer Dora, he visited Yakutat, Nucheck, Prince William Sound, Wood Island, 
Kadiak, Karluk, Unga, and Sand Point, reaching Unalaska May 12. 

While waiting to join the United States revenue-cutter Bear in its Arctic cruise he 
became intimately acquainted with the work being done in the home under the 
supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Tuck, and reports that a neater, more intelligent, well- 
behaved set of children it would be hard to find anywhere in the country. In the 
schoolroom, which he visited repeatedly, he found that good progress had been made 
in the acquisition of the English language. From its commencement in 1889 until 
the past summer the home has been maintained in a small one and one-half story 
rented cottage. During the summer a commodious boarding house was erected. 

Mr. Hamilton joined the Bear at Unalaska. The cruise of the Bear in 1895 was 
over much the same course as in previous years. 

After patrolling the North Pacific during May and June the Bear left the wharf at 
Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, on June 24 for her Arctic trip. The next day she sighted 
through the fog first St. George Island and then St. Paul. The sea being too rough 



1436 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

to land, the ship pnshed on to the northwest, passing St. Matthew Island on Jtm© 
26 and reachinu; anchorage at St. Lawrence Island on June 28. Very soon the 
natives swarmed on hoard, hringing tidings that Mr. and Mrs. Gambell, in charge of 
the Government school on the island, were in excellent health and had had a very 
successful year. A sewing machine and a cabinet organ for Mrs. Gambell, with sup- 
plies for the family and a twelve months' mail, were lauded safely through the surf. 
Hoisting anchor on June 30 the Bear crossed over to Indian Point, Siberia, about 40 
miles distant. There two Cossack officers of the Russian army were found taking a 
census of the village. This was the first visit of Russian officials to that section of 
the Siberian coast in many years, and the natives brought the Russian coins they 
had received from them over to the ship to sell as curios. Here, as elsewhere on the 
trip, the ship's surgeon went ashore to treat the sick and ailing. The principal 
native of the village is Koharri, who is a noted trader all along the coast. He has a 
little frame whale house tilled from floor to ceiling with tobacco, flour, and looking- 
glasses, which he has obtained from the whalers and from which he supplies the 
country for hundreds of miles around. This man has been known to have as much 
as $75,000 worth of whalebone in his storehouse at one time. He does a business of 
probably $'00,000 a year, and yet not a single coin of gold or siiver nor a single bank 
note or bank check is used, nor are any books kept. All transactions are by barter, 
furs and whalebones being exchanged for tobacco, flour, and whisky. This whole- 
sale merchant of the north Siberian coast can neither read nor write, nor can anyone 
associated with him. Although so wealthy, he lives in an ordinary tent and sleeps 
on the ground on a pile of reindeer skins. 

On several occasions the Beai-, in search of reindeer, has turned southward from 
Indian Point and sailed up Holy Cross Sound, at the head of Anadir Gulf, some 300 
miles into Siberia. In 1893, while in search of reindeer, we discovered a large river 
emptying into Holy Cross Sound. After visiting a herd of reindeer, an officer and 
crew entered the mouth of this stream, the Bear being the first ocean steamer that 
ever plowed those waters. This season the Bear, turning northward, anchored, on 
July 1, off South Head, St. Lawrence Bay. Peter and Kaimok, the leading men of 
that section, came on board and sold 40 head of reindeer. The herd, however, was 
on the opposite side of the bay and could not be reached until the ice should go out, 
a month later. Being unwilling to wait, the captain set sail for King Island, which 
was reached the next morning. At this point dui'ing two previous seasons the Bear 
was caught and imprisoned in large ice iioes. 

Leaving the island at 8 a. m., the Bear soon encountered large cakes of ice at the 
entrance to Port Clarence. Forcing her way through the ice, she found seven whaler§ 
at anchor inside, and news was received of the successful winter of the reindeer 
herds. The 4th of July was spent with the whaling fleet, at anchor. A baseball 
game on shore and a salute of twenty-one guns at noon, with a dinner on the Bear to 
the whaling captains, comprised the public celebration of the day. On July 5 the 
Bear left for St. Michael, where she arrived the following day. On July 8 anchor 
was hoisted and a trip was made to the native village on Sledge Island. On July 9 
the steamer made Bering Straits, calling at East Cape, where four or five influential 
natives were taken on board to aid in procuring reindeer. Learning that there was 
a large herd about 50 miles to the northward, the vessel entered,the Arctic Ocean. 
Early in the morning of July 11 the Bear, picking and pushing her way through the 
ice, reached Utan. At this place 16 deer were purchased and brought on board. 
Continuing the trip up the coast, the Bear tied up to<a huge ice floe near Cape Serdze, 
Siberia. While there target practice was had at distant pieces of ice. On the 14th, 
learning that there were some deer at Chacoran, the vessel steamed over to that 
village, where 22 deer were secured. The ice closing in, the cutter was compelled 
to move a few miles farther south. At this point 73 head of deer were purchased, 
and at midnight the Bear got under way for the reindeer station at Port Clarence, 
passing through a gale on the 16th and reaching Point Spencer on the 17th, where 
she anchored. About noon on the 20th, the gale having subsided, the Bear steamed 
over to the station and landed the deer. The brig W, H. Meyer, with the annual 
supplies for the several stations and schools, was found wrecked on the beach in 
front of the station, having gone ashore during the gale on the night of the 17th. 
The supplies for the reindeer station had fortunately all been landed, but those for 
the schools at Cape Prince of Wales and Point Barrow were lost. 

On July 22 the Bear weighed anchor and headed for Siberia for another load of 
reindeer, and on July 23 she reached St. Lawrence Bay. On the 24th she steamed to 
the head of the bay, where 43 head were secured. The next day she returned to the 
reindeer station, where the deer were landed on the 26th. On the 28th, the Bear 
having taken on board Mr. and Mrs. Hanna,who had been wrecked on the W. H. Meyer, 
with their supplies received from reindeer station, sailed for Cape Prince of Wales, 
where they were landed that afternoon. Again hoisting anchor the steamer left for 
Kotzebue Sound. On the way the schooner Jessie was boarded and examined. On 
July 30 the Bear anchored in the lee of Chamisso Island. On the Slst, while the 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1437 

Teseel was lying wiudbouncl, Dr. Sharp and Mr. Justice, of the Philadelphia Academy 
of Sciences, and Mr. Hamilton, together with a party of officers, made an excursion 
to Choris Peninsula. On August 5 the steamer left for Point Hope, where it arrived 
next day. Here the school and whaling stations were visited, and Dr. Driggs, one of 
the teachers, who had been in that country for five years, was taken on board to 
return to the States for a vacation. 

On August 7 the Hear started up the coast for Point Barrow, wending its way 
through large packs of floating ice, and on the following day caught up with the 
whaling fleet at anchor near Icy Cape, at the southern edge of the great Arctic ice 
pack. The whaling fleet had been at anchor for nineteen days, waiting for the ice to 
open. The Bear lay there for fourteen days longer, waiting for an opi)ortunity to 
get farther north. Parties from Point Barrow who came down the coast for their 
mail reported that the past winter had not been very cold, the lowest temperature 
bein^ 30° below zero. Giviug up all expectation of getting farther north, young ice 
forming on the sea and on the rigging of the vessel, the captain concluded to turn 
southward, which he did on August 22. The following day a shoal of walrus was 
sighted several miles away, and huuti-ng parties were sent out and secured 10 of them. 
Picking np the walrus, the vessel continued southward, calling at Point Hope the 
next day and reaching the reindeer station August 27. Two days were si)ent in 
securing requisitions and flnishing up the business of the year. On September 1 the 
steamer, while near St. Michael, took on board 16 destitute miners from the Yukon 
region. On the evening of September 4 the vessel anchored ofl' the St. Lawrence 
Island village. The evening was spent in closing up the season's business at the 
station. Requisitions were made out for another year's supplies, last letters were 
received, farewells were spoken, and Mr. and Mrs. Gambell were again cut ofl' from all 
communication with the outside world for another year. At 4 a. m. on September 5 
the Bear was again under way. September 6 St. Matthew and Hall Islands were 
passed, and on the 7th anchor was dropped at St. Paul Island, where on the 8th a 
landing was made for a few hours. On September 9 a similar landing was made at 
St. George Island, and at noon on September 11 anchor was dropped in Dutch Harbor, 
Unalaska, closing the Arctic cruise of 1895. 

At Unalaska, by the courtesy of Capt. C. L. Hooper, Mr. Hamilton was received on 
board the United States revenue-cutter Rush, on which he remained until her arrival 
at San Francisco, October 6. On October 9 the start was made for Washington, 
which was reached on the 14th, completing a trip of about 16,000 miles during the 
season. 

Introduction of Domestic Reindeer into Alaska. 

When in the year 1890 I visited arctic Alaska for the purpose of establishing 
schools, I found the Eskimo population slowly dying off with starvation. For ages 
they and their fathers had secured a comfortable living from the products of the 
sea, principally the whale, the walrus, and the seal. The supplies of the sea had 
been supplemented by the fish and aquatic birds, of their rivers and the caribou or 
wild reindeer that roamed in large herds over the inland tundra. 

The supply of these in years past was abundant and furnished ample food for all 
the people. But fifty years ago American whalers, having largely exhausted the 
supply in other waters, found their way into the North Pacific Ocean. Then com- 
menced for that section the slaughter and destruction of whales that went steadily 
forward at the rate of hundreds and thousands annually, until they were killed off 
or driven out of the Pacific Ocean. They were then followed into Bering Sea, and 
the slaughter went on. The whales took refuge among the ice fields of the Arctic 
Ocean, and thither the whalers followed. In this relentless hunt the remnant have 
been driven still farther into the inaccessible regions around the North Pole, and 
are no longer within reach of the natives. 

As the great herds of buffalo that once roamed the Western prairies have been 
exterminated for their pelts, so the whales have been sacrificed for the fat that 
incased their bodies and the bone that hung in their mouths. With the destruction 
of the whale one large source of food supply for the natives has been cut oft\ 

Another large supply was derived from the walrus, which once swarmed in great 
numbers in those northern seas, but commerce wanted more ivory, and the whalers 
turned their attention to the walrus, destroying thousands annually for the sake of 
their tusks. Where a few years ago they were so numerous that their bellowings 
were heard above the roar of the waves and grinding and crashing of the ice fields, 
last year I cruised for weeks seeing but few. The walrus, as a source of food sup- 
ply, is already very scarce. 

The sea lions, once so common in Bering Sea, are now becoming so few in number 
that it is with difficulty that the natives procure a sufficient number of skins to 
cover their boats, and the flesh of the walrus, on account of its rarity, has become 
a luxury. 

In the past the natives, with tireless industry, caught and cured, for use in their 



1438 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

long winters, great quantities of fish, but American canneries have already come to 
some of their streams, and will soon be found on all of them, both carrying the 
food out of the country, and, by their wasteful methods, destroying the future sup- 
ply. Five million cans of salmon annually shipped away from Alaska — and the 
business still in its infancy — means starvation to the native races in the near future. 

With the advent of improved breech-loading firearms the wild reindeer are both 
being killed off and frightened away to the remote and more inaccessible regions of 
the interior, and anoth r source of food supply is diminishing. Thus the support of 
the people is largely gone, and the pA)cess of slow starvation and extermination has 
commenced along the whole arctic coast of Alaska. 

To establish schools among a starving people would be of little service; hence 
education, civilization, and humanity alike called for relief. The sea could not be 
restocked with whale as a stream can be restocked with fish. To feed the popula- 
tion at Government expense would pauperize and in the end as certainly destroy 
them. Some other method had to be devised. This was suggested by the wild 
nomad tribes on the Siberian side of Bering Straits. They had an unfailing food 
supply in tlieir large herds of domestic reindeer. Why not introduce the domestic 
reindeer on the American side and thus provide a new and adequate food supply? 

To do this will give the Eskimo as jjcrmauent a food supply as the cattle of the 
Western plains and sheep of New Mexico and Arizona do the inhabitants of those 
sections. It will do more than preserve life — it will preserve the self-respect of the 
people and advance them in the scale of civilization. It will change them from 
hunters to herders. It will also utilize the hundreds of thousands of square miles of 
moss-covered tundra of arctic and subarctic Alaska and make those now useless and 
barren wastes conducive to the wealth and prosperity of the United States. 

A moderate computation, based upon the statistics of Lapland, where similar cli- 
matic and other conditions exist, shows northern and central Alaska capable of 
supporting over 9,000,000 head of reindeer. 

To reclaim and make valuable vast areas of land otherwise worthless ; to introduce 
large, permanent, and wealth-producing industries where none previously existed; 
to take a barbarian people on the verge of starvation and lift them up to a comfort- 
able self-support and civilization is certainly a work of national importance. 

Returning to Washington on November 12, 1890, I addressed to tlje Commissioner 
of Education a preliminary report of the season's work, emphasizing the destitute 
condition of the Alaskan Eskimo and recommending tJie introduction of the domestic 
reindeer of Siberia. 

On the 5th of December following, this report was transmitted by the Commis- 
sioner of Education to the Secretary of the Interior for his information, and on the 
15th transmitted to the Senate by Hon. George Chandler, Acting Secretary of the 
Interior. On the following day it was referred by the Senate to the Committee on 
Education and Labor. 

On the 19th of December Hon. Louis E. McComas, of Maryland, introduced into 
the House of Representatives a joint resolution (H. Res. No. 258) providing that the 
act of Congress approved March 2, 1887, "An act to establish agricultural experiment 
stations in connection with the colleges established in the several States," should be 
extended by the Secretary of the Interior over Alaska, with the expectation that 
the purchase, improvement, and management of domestic reindeer should be made a 
part of the industrial education of the proposed college. 

The resolution was referred to the Committee on Education, and on the 9th of 
January, 1891, reported back to the House of Representatives lor passage. 

It was, however, so near the close of the short term of Congress that the resolution 
was not reached. When it became apparent that it would not be reached in the 
usual way, the Hon. Henry M. Teller, on the 26tliof February, moved an amendment 
to the bill (H. R. 13462) making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Gov- 
ernment for the year ending June 30, 1892, approi)riating $15,000 for the introduction 
of domestic reindeer into Alaska, which was carried. The appropriation failed to 
receive the concurrence of the conference committee of the Houso of Representatives. 

Upon the failure of the Fifty-first Congress to take, action, and deprecating the 
delay of twelve months before another attempt could be made, I issued, with the 
approval of the Commissioner of Education, an appeal in the Mail and Express of 
New York City, the Boston Transcript, the Philailel]thia Ledger, the Chicago Inter- 
Ocean, and the Washington Star, as well as in a number of the religious newspapers 
of the country, for contributions to this object. The response was prompt and gen- 
erous; $2,146 were received. 

As the season had arrived for the usual visit of inspection and supervision of the 
schools in Alaska, in addition to my regular work for the schools I was authorized 
to commence the work of introducing domestic reindeer into Alaska. The natives 
of Siberia who own the reindeer, knowing nothing of the use of money, an assort- 
ment of goods for the purpose of barter for the reindeer was procured from the funds 
so generously contributed by benevolent people. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1439 

The honorahle Secretary of the Treasury issued instructions to Captain Healy to 
furnish uie every Y><>ssible facility for the purchase and transportation of reindeer 
from Siberia to Ahiska. The honorable Secretary of State secured from the Russian 
Government instructions to their officers on the Siberian coast also to render what 
assistance they could, and on May 25, 1891, 1 again took passage on the revenue cutter 
Bear, Captain Healy in command, for the coast of Siberia. 

The proposition to introduce domestic reindeer into Alaska had excited widespread 
and general interest. In the public discussions which arose with regard to the scheme, 
a sentiment was found in some circles that it was impracticable; that on account of 
the superstitious of the natives they would be unwilling to sell their stock alive; 
further, that the nature of the reindeer was such that they would not bear ship trans- 
portation, and also that, even if they could be purchased and safely transported, the 
native dogs on the Alaskan coast would destroy or the natives kill them for food. 
This feeling; Avhich was held by many intelligent men, was asserted so strongly and 
positively that it was thought best the tirst season to make haste slowly, and instead 
of purchasing a large number of reindeer to possibly die on shipboard or perhaps to 
he destroyed by the Alaskan dogs (thus at the very outset prejudicing the scheme), 
it was deemed wiser and safer to buy only a few. 

Therefore, in the time available from other educational duties during the season 
of 1891, I again carefully reviewed the ground and secured all possible additional 
information with regard to the reindeer, and, while delaying the actual establish- 
ment of a herd until another season, refuted the objections that the natives will 
not sell and the deer will not bear transportation by actually buying and transport- 
ing them. 

The work was so new and untried that many things could only be found out by 
actual experience. 

First. The wild deer men of Siberia are a very superstitious people, and need to 
be approached with great wisdom and tact. If a man shonld sell us deer and the 
following winter an epidemic break out in his herd or some calamity befall his family, 
the Shamans would make him believe that his misfortune was all due to the sale of 
the deer. 

Second. The Siberian deer men are a nonprogressive people. They have lived for 
ages outside of the activities and progress of the world. As the fathers did, so 
continue to do their children. Now, they have never before been asked to sell their 
deer; it is a new thing to them, and they do not know what to make of it. They 
were suspicious of our designs. Another difficulty arises from the fact that they 
can not understand what we want with the reindeer. They have no knowledge of 
such a motive as doing good to others without pay. 

As a rule, the men with the largest herds, who can best afford to sell, are inland 
and difficult to reach. Then business selfishness conies in. The introduction of the 
reindeer on the American side may to some extent injuriously affect their trade in 
deer skins. From time immemorial they have been accustomed to take their skins 
to Alaska and exchange them for oil. To establish herds in Alaska will, they fear, 
ruin this business. 

Another difficulty experienced was the impossibility of securing a competent inter- 
preter. A few of the natives of the Siberian coast have spent one or more seasons 
on a whaler, and thus picked up a very little English. And upon this class we have 
been dependent in the past. 

However, notwithstanding all these difficulties and delays. Captain Healy, with 
the Bear, coasted from 1,200 to 1,500 miles, calling at the various villages and hold- 
ing conferences with the leading reindeer owners on the Siberian coast. Arrange- 
ments were made for the purchase of animals the following season. Then, to answer 
the question whether the reindeer could be purchased and transported alive, f 
bought 16 head, kept them on shipboard for some three weeks, passing through a 
gale so severe that the ship had to " lie to," and finally landed them in good condi- 
tion at Amaknak Island, in the harbor of Unalaska. 

Upon my return to Washinijton City in the fall of 1891 the question was again 
urged upon the attention of Congress, and on the 17th of December, 1891, Hon. H. 
M. Teller introduced a bill (S. 1109) appropriating $15,000, to be expended under 
the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, for the purpose of introducing and 
maintaining in the Territory of Alaska reindeer for domestic purposes. This bill 
was referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, Hon. Algernon S. Pad- 
dock, chairman. The committee took favorable action, and the bill was passed by 
the Senate on May 23, 1892. On the following day it was reported to the House of 
Representatives and referred to the Committee on Appropriations. A similar bill 
(H. R. 7764) was introduced into the House of Representatives by Hon. A. C. Dur- 
borow and referred to the Committee on Agriculture. 

On April 15 Hon. S. B. Alexander, of North Carolina, reported the bill to the House 
of Representatives with the approval of the Committee on Agricultore. The bill 
was placed ou the calendar, but failed to pass the House. 



1440 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

On the 2d of May, 1892, I started for my third summer's ■work on the coast of 
Siberia and Arctic Alaska in the United States revenue-cutter Bear, Capt. M. A. 
Healy, commanding, and, on the 29th of June following, selected in the northeast 
corner of Port Clarence (the nearest good harbor to Bering Straits on the American 
side) a suitable location for the establishment of an industrial school, the principal 
industry of which is the management and propagation of domestic reindeer. The 
institution is named the Teller Reindeer Station. 

During the summer of 1892 I made five visits to Siberia, purchasing and transport- 
ing to Port Clarence 171 head of reindeer. I also superintended the erection of 
a large building for the offices and residence of the superintendent of the station, 
Mr. Miner W. Bruce, of Nebraska. 

Returning to Washington in the early winter, agitation was at once commenced 
before Congress, resulting in an appropriation by the Fifty-second Congress, second 
session (March 3, 1893), of "$6,000, to be expended under the direction of the Secre- 
tary of the Interior, for the purpose of introducing and maintaining in the Territory 
of Alaska reindeer for domestic purposes." The management of this fund was wisely 
laid upon the Commissioner of Education and was made a part of the school system 
of Alaska. 

During the spring of 1893, 79 fawns were bom to the herd at the Teller Reindeer 
Station, and during the summer 127 deer were purchased in Siberia and added to the 
Alaska herd. 

At the expiration of his year's service Mr. Bruce resigned, and Mr. W. T. Lopp, of 
Indiana, was appointed superintendent. 

During April, May, and June, 1894, 186 fawns were born to the herd, of which 41 
were lost by being frozen or deserted by their mothers. During the summer I pur- 
chased in Siberia 120 head, which were added to the herd. 

Siberian herders were employed at the beginning of the enterprise, not because 
they were considered the best, but because they were near by and were the only ones 
that could be had at the time. It was realized from the first that if the Alaskan 
Eskimo were to be taught the breeding and care of the reindeer, it was important 
that they should have the benefit of the most intelligent instructors and of the best 
methods that were in use. By universal consent it is admitted that the Lapps of 
northern Europe, because of their superior intelligence (nearly all of them being 
able to read and write and some of them being acquainted with several languages), 
are much superior to the Samoyedes deer men of northern Europe and Asia and the 
barbarous deer men of northeastern Siberia. Intelligence applied to the raising of 
reindeer, just as to any other industry, produces the best results. 

Therefore, when in 1893 it was ascertained that the herd at Port Clarence had 
safely passed its first winter (thus assuring its permanence), I at once set about 
securing herders from Lapland. There being no public funds available to meet the 
expense of sending an agent to Norway in order to secure skilled Lapp herders, I 
had recourse again to the private benefactions of friends of the enterprise, and $1,000 
was contributed. 

Mr. William A. Kjellmann, of Madison, Wis., was selected as superintendent of the 
Teller Reindeer Station and sent to Lapland for herders. He sailed from New York 
City February 21, and landed upon his return May 12, 1894, having with him seven 
men, their wives and children, making sixteen souls in all. This was the first colony 
of Lapps ever brought to the United States. They reached the Teller Reindeer Sta- 
tion safely on July 29, having traveled over 12,500 miles. Upon reaching the station 
Mr. Kjellman took charge, relieving Mr. W. T. Lopp, who desired to return to the 
mission work at Cape Prince of Wales. 

In 1894 the Fifty-third Congress, second session, increased the reindeer appropria- 
tion to $7,500, and the same amount was appropriated in the spring of 1895, at the 
third session of the same Congress. 

Owing to the serious illness of his wife, and her need of the services of a physician, 
that could not be had at the station, Mr. Kjellmann resigned on the 20th of July and 
returned to the States. The same day Mr. Jens C. Widstead, of Wisconsin, the 
assistant superintendent, was made superintendent, and Mr. Thorvaald Kjellmann, 
of Norway, was appointed his assistant. 

The experience of the past year has demonstrated the wisdom of procuring Lapps 
for herders. Their greater intelligence, skill, and gentleness in handling the deer, 
and the introduction of their improved methods of treatment, have greatly promoted 
the welfare of the herd. In 1894, 41 fawns out of the 186 born were lost under the 
supervision of the Siberian herders. In 1895 under the care of the Lapps but 10 
fawns were lost of 280 born at the three stations, and 7 of these were from the herd 
at Cape Prince of Wales, where no Lapp was present, thus reducing the percentage 
of loss among the calves the past spring from 22 per cent in the previous year to less 
than 1 per cent for the present year. This great saving is due to the greater skill of 
the Lapps, and would alone pay the extra expense of procuring them as herders. It 



EErORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1441 

has also been found that there is a hearty agreemeut iu the work between the Lapps 
and the Eskimo. 

In August, 1894, a commencement was made in the distribution from the central 
herd at the Teller Station, ll'J head of deer being given to Mr. W. T. Lopp, in charge 
of the mission of the American Missionary Association at Cape Prince of Wales. In 
the spring of 1895 the herd was increased by the birth of G8 fawns. 

The Eskimo have been so little accustomed to assistance from the whites that they 
have been somewhat skeptical concerning their being permitted to ultimately own 
the reindeer. As evidence of good faith, in February, 1895, a herd of 112 head was 
intrusted to three oi four of the most experienced native apprentices. The follow- 
ing spring during fawning season a Lapp was sent to their assistance, and they lost 
only one fawn out of the 73 born. 

The experience of the past four years has demonstrated the fact that the present 
system of procuring reindeer is too slow, and will take many years to accomplish 
the purpose of the Goverument. To expedite matters I would respectfully suggest 
the propriety of placing, with the consent of the Russian Government, a purchasing 
station somewhere ou the Siberian coast, to remain through the year. If successful 
such a station ought to gather together 2,000 or 3,000 head and have them ready for 
transportation during the summer. Another plan, and a more feasible one, will be 
to contract with responsible parties for the purchasing and delivering of so many 
head of reindeer annually at certain designated points in Alaska. This latter plan 
will relieve the office of much anxiety. 

THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE FUTURE. 

There are in northern and central Alaska, at a moderate estimate, 400,000 square 
miles of territory that are unadapted to agriculture or the grazing of cattle, and 
that region is without an adequate food supply for the Eskimo inhabitants or the 
white miners and others who are now penetrating it in search of gold or trade. But 
that whole region is supplied with a long, fibrous white moss (Cladonia rangiferina), 
the natural food of the reindeer. This is capable of becoming food and clothing for 
men only by its transformation into reindeer meat and furs. 

The best results in the raising of reindeer, and the most complete statistics, are 
found in Norway and Sweden. Taking those countries as a basis, we find that the 
northern provinces, known as Lapland, contain an area of 14,000 square miles, in 
which are 322,568 head of reindeer. This gives au average of 23 reindeer to the 
square mile. 

Applying this ratio to the 400,000 square miles of arctic and subarctic Alaska (and 
there is no known reason in the general character of the country why we should not), 
we have as a result that Alaska is capable of sustaining 9,200,000 head of reindeer, 
which, at the valuation of $9 each (the price in Sweden), will be worth $83,000,000. 

In Lapland there is an average of 32 head of reindeer to each person among the 
reindeer Lapps. Applying the same average to Alaska, the 9,200,000 head of rein- 
deer will support a population of 287,500, living like the Lapps of Lapland. 

EFFECT UPON ALASKA. 

The stocking of Alaska with reindeer means — 

First. The opening up of the vast and almost inaccessible region of northern and 
central Alaska to white settlers and civilization. 

The original purpose iu 1890 to introduce reindeer into Alaska was inspired by a 
desire to provide a new and more permanent food supply for the half-famishing 
Eskimo. 

Since then the discovery of large and valuable gold deposits upon the streams of 
arctic and subarctic Alaska has made the introduction of reindeer a necessity for 
the white man as well as the Eskimo. Previous to the discovery of gold there was 
nothing to attract the white settler to that desolate region, but with the knowledge 
of valuable gold deposits thousands will there make their homes, and towns and 
villages are already springing into existence. 

But that vast region, with its perpetual frozen subsoil, is without agricultural 
resources. Groceries, breadstufls, etc., must be procured from the outside. Steamers 
upon the Yukon cau bring food to the mouths of the gold-bearing streams, but the 
mines are often many miles up these unnavigable steams. Already great difficulty 
is experienced in securing sufficient food by dog-traiu transportation and the packing 
of the natives. The miners need reindeer transportation. 

Again, the development of the mines and the growth of settlements upon streams 
hundreds of miles apart necessitates some method of speedy travel. A dog team on 
«■. long journey will make on an average from 15 to 25 miles a day, and in some sec- 
tions can not make the trip at all, because they can not carry with them a sufficient 
supply of food for the dogs, and cau procure none in the country through which 
ED 95 4G 



1442 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

they travel. To facilitate and render possible frequent and speedy commnnication 
between these isolated settlements and growing centers of American civilization, 
"where the ordinary roads of the States have no existence and can not be maintained 
except at an enormous expense, reindeer teams that require no beaten roads, and 
that at the close of a day's work can be turned loose to forage for themselves, are 
essential. The introduction of reindeer into Alaska makes possible the development 
of the mines and the support of a million miners. 

Second. The opening up of a vast commercial industry. Lapland, with 400,000 
reindeer, supplies the grocery stores of northern Europe with smoked reindeer hams, 
10 cents per pound; smoked tongues, at 10 cents each; dried hides, at $1.25 to $1.75 
each ; tanned hides, $2 to $3 each, and 23,000 carcasses to the butcher shops, in addi- 
tion to what is consumed by the Lapps themselves. 

Fresh reindeer meat is considered a great delicacy. Russia exports it frozen, in 
carloads, to Germany. The Norwegian Preserving Company use large quantities of 
it for canning. 

The tanned skins (soft and with a beautiful yellow color) have a ready sale for 
military pantaloons, gloves, bookbinding, covering of chairs and sofas, bed pil- 
lows, etc. 

The hairs are in great demand for the tilling of life-saving apparatus (buoys, etc.), 
they possessing a wonderful degree of buoyancy. The best existing glue is made of 
reindeer horns. 

On the same basis Alaska, with its capacity for 9,200,000 head of reindeer, can 
supply the markets of America with 500,000 carcasses of venison annually, together 
with tons of delicious hams and tongues and the finest of leather. 

Surely the creation of an industry worth from $83,000,000 to $100,000,000 where 
none now exists is worth the attention of the American people. 

Third. The perpetuation, multiplication, and civilization of the Eskimos of that 
region. The Eskimos are a hardy and docile race. Their children learn readily in 
the schools, and there is no reason why they should not be made an important factor 
in the development of that land. The density of populatiou in any section being 
largely dependent upon the quantity of the food supply, the increase of food supply 
■will naturally increase the number of hardy Eskimo. 

For the nurture of the reindeer and the instruction of the native people in this 
industry, it is desirable that there should be a migration to that country of skilled 
herders and their families. The inviting of this class of European settlers will not 
crowd out the native Eskimos, but will greatly assist them in their efforts to adjust 
themselves to the raising of reindeer. Lapp families, with their greater intelli- 
gence, skill, and gentleness in handling reindeer, and their improved methods of 
treatment, wisely distributed among the Eskimos, will be an object lesson to stimu- 
late, encourage, and instruct them. 

To awaken an interest in Lapland and open the way for the securing a larger 
number of Lapp herders, I would suggest the publication for distribution in Lapland 
of a small pamphlet in the Norwegian language upon the advantages of raising rein- 
deer in Alaska. 

Decennary Review. 

As the present year closes ten years of education in Alaska by the United States 
Government, it seems an appropriate occasion for recalling the history of the past. 
Information concerning education under the Russian Government is very meager, 
the only available sources to the English reader being the admirable work of William 
H. Dall, Alaska aid its Resources (pp. 351 and 352), and the annual reports of the 
Bureau of Education. 

The first European settlers were Russians, attracted by the valuable furs and 
skins. Many of these married Indian women and raised families of mixed blood or 
Creoles. As these children increased in number and grew up there began to be on 
the part of some of the fathers a felt need for schools. Accordingly Gregory Sbeli- 
kofit', governor of the colony, and founder of the Russian-American Fur Company, 
established a school at Kadiak about the year 1792, which was taught by the trader. 
In 1793 Catherine II, Empress of Russia, through a ukase ordered missionaries to be 
sent to her North American Colony. In accordance with this order the following 
year 11 monks sailed from Ochotsk for Kadiak Island in charge of Archimandrite 
Josasaph, an elder in the order of Augustine Friars, who were expected to take 
charge of schools as well as churches. In 1805 the Imperial chamberlain and com- 
missioner. Count Nikolai Resanoff, organized a school at Kadiak under the name of 
the "House of Benevolence of the Empress Maria," in which were taught the Rus- 
sian language, arithmetic, and the Greek religion. In 1805 a school was opened at 
Sitka. It held a very precarious existence, however, until 1820, when it came under 
the charge of a naval officer who kept a good school for thirteen years. In 1833 
this school came under the direction of Etolm, who still further increased its effi- 
ciency. Etolin was a creole, who by force of ability and merit, raised himself to 
the highest position in the country, that of chief director of the fur company and 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1443 

governor of the colouy. lie was a Luthorau, the patron of schools and churches. 
While governor he erected a Protestant church at Sitka and presented it with a 
email pipe organ, which is still in use. 

In 1840, besides the colonial school at Sitka, was one for orphan boys and sons of 
workmen and subaltern employees of the fur company, in which were taught read- 
ing, writing, arithmetic, grammar, mechanical trades, and religion. In 1839 a girls' 
school of ft similar character was established and the number of boarders limited 
to 40. In 1841 a theological school was established at Sitka, which, in 1849, was 
advanced to the grade of a seminary. This made five schools at Sitka — two for the 
children of the lower class, two for the higher class, and one seminary. About the 
time of the transfer of the country the teachers were recalled to Russia and the 
schools suspended. 

But with the change of government came a new people. The majority of the 
Russians left the country and their places were taken by Americans. Many came in 
from California, and on the 8th of November, 1867, less than a month from the time 
that the country passed under the United States flag, the citizens called a meeting 
and formed a temporary local government, and on the 18th of December, 1867, a 
petition, formed by 49 persons, 2 of whom "made their mark," was presented to the 
common council, asking that a citizens' meeting might be called to empower the 
council to establish a school. On the 20th of March, 1868, the council adopted some 
school regulations and appointed three trustees, who exercised a joint control with a 
committee of officers from the military post at Sitka. During the winter of 1868-69 
a school building was purchased. The annual reports of the trustees have disap- 
peared, and there is nothing to show the time when teaching commenced. In October, 
18G9, the council voted that the salary of the teacher should be $75 per month in 
coin, and on March 1, 1871, it was ordered to be $25 per month, which evidently 
means that at the latter period the post commander withdrew the $50 per month 
which had been paid from the army funds. On the 12th of August, 1871, permission 
was given the bishop of the Greek Church to teach the Russian language one hour 
each day in the public school. During 1873 the school seems to have died out. 

In 1879 and 1880 an attempt was made to establish a school for Russian children, 
which was taught by Mr. Alonzo E. Au.stin and Miss Etta Austin. In the winter of 
1877 and 1878 Rev. John G. Brady was appointed to Sitka, and in April, 1878, a 
school was opened by Mr. Brady and Miss Fanny E. Kellogg. In December, through 
a combination of circumstances, it was discontinued. In the spring of 1880 Miss 
Oliuda Austin was sent out by the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions from New 
York City, and (commenced school April 5 in one of the guardhouses, with 103 chil- 
dren present. This number increased to 130. Then some of the parents applied for 
admission, but could not be received, as the room would not accommodate any more. 

In November some of the boys applied to the teacher for permission to live in the 
schoolhouae. At home, they alleged, there was so much drinking, talking, and 
carousing that they could not study. The teacher replied that she had no accom- 
modations, bedding, or food for them. But they were so much in earnest that they 
said they would provide for themselves. Upon receiving permission, seven native 
boys, 13 and 14 years of age, bringing a blanket each, voluntarily left their homes 
and took up their abode in a vacant room of one of the Government buildings. Thus 
commenced the boarding department of the Sitka school. Soon other boys joined 
them. Capt. Henry Glass, who succeeded Captain Beardslee in the command of the 
U. S. S. Jamestown, from the first, with his officers, especially Lieut. F. M. Symonds, 
U. S. N., took a deep interest in the school. As he had opportunity he secured boys 
from distant tribes and placed them in the institution, until there were 27 boys in the 
boarding department. 

In the winter of 1N82 the schoolhouse was burned, and the boys took refuge in an 
abandoned Government stable, which was fitted up for them. In the fall of 1882, 
after consultation with the collector of customs, the commander of the United States 
man-of-war, and the leading citizens, I selected a new location for the school outside 
of village limits and erected a two-and-a-lialf slory building, 100 by 50 feet in size. 
This location was donated to the Board of Home Missions by the Rev. John G. Brady. 

In 1869 Mr. Vincent Collier, secretary of the Board of Indian Commissioners, paid 
a visit to the native triTgrs along the southern coast of Alaska, and upon his return 
to Washington made a report of his journey, among other things, recommending an 
appropriation of $100,000 to provide schools of instruction in the primary branches 
of the English language for the natives of Alaska. The report was indorsed by the 
Hon. J. D. Cox, Secretary of the Interior, and on April 22, 1870, transmitted to the 
Hon. James Harlan, chairman of tlie Committee on Indian Alfairs, United States 
Senate. In the bill before Congress making appropriation for the Indian Depart- 
ment, etc., for 1870-71, a proviso was added for the support of industrial and other 
schools among the Indian tribes not otherwise provided for, to be expended under 
the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, $100,000. Th<i Indian Peace Commis- 
eiou had recommended a specific appropriation for the Indians in Alaska, as also 



1444 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

had the Secretary of the Interior. Congress preferred to make the appropriation 
general, leaving it to the Secretary to apply such part to the Alaskan Indians as in 
his discretion he might think best. 

On the 16th of March, 1870, the Hon. John Eaton, Ph. D., LL. D., was appointed 
United States Commissioner of Education. From the very first he took a special and 
deep interest in trying to secure education in Alaska ; and in his iirst Annual Report 
(1870), pages 336, 337, and 345, he makes a plea for the establishment of schools in 
Alaska. Again, in his Annual Report for 1871 (p. 404) he calls attention to the 
appropriation of $100,000 previously mentioned, and states the fact that nothing had 
been done with it so far as pertained to education in Alaska, and closes with this 
paragraph : 

"At the last session of the Forty-first Congress, an appropriation of $100,000 was 
made for 'industrial and other schools among the Indian tribes not otherwise pro- 
vided for.' This amount was recommended by the Board of Indian Commissioners, 
with the expectation that a considerable proportion would be used in establishing 
free schools among the Alaska and Aleutian Indians. It does not appear that any 
Bteps have been taken for that purpose, the money being expended among other 
tribes. No eiiort has so far been made to educate these Indians, estimated as num- 
bering more than 70,000 souls. The discovery of gold induces the migration of 
whites. The few trading operations are also gathering a large force of employees. 
There is great need of some jjracticable educational work in this Territory." 

In his Annual Report for 1872 (pp. 20, 21), he again calls attention to the neglected 
condition of Alaska, saying : 

"Alaska lies entirely outside of all organized efforts for education, and presents 
the singular fact of being an integral part of the boasted most progressive nation 
in the world, and yet without the least possible provision to save its children from 
growing up in the grossest ignorance and barbarism. No report has been received 
by the office from the two schools which the Fur-Seal Company is bound by its con- 
tract to support among the Aleutians." 

In his Report for 1873 (p. 424), he publishes a letter from Capt. Charles Bryant, 
agent for the United States Treasury Department, giving information of the two 
schools upon the Pribilof Islands, which the Alaska Commercial Company, in virtue 
of its lease with the Treasury Department, is under obligation to maintain during 
eight months in each year of the lease, commencing with May 1, 1870. In the Annual 
Report for 1875 (p. 463), he publishes a long letter from William H. Dall with regard 
to the need of educational privileges in Alaska. In the Annual Report for 1877 
(p. 3, xl), he publishes a long report from Sheldon Jackson, superintendent of Pres- 
byterian missions in Alaska, giving an account of the commeucemeut of schools by 
the Home Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of 
America. In the Annual Report for 1878 (pp. 2, xvii and 266), he gives a second report 
of Sheldon Jacl^son upon the progress of the Presbyterian schools in southeast 
Alaska ; also, the character and customs of the native population. In the Annual Re- 
port for 1870 (XI. 264) , he publishes the third report of Mr. Jackson. In the Annual 
Report for 1880 (pp. liv and 350), occurs another report of Mr. .Jackson on the progress 
of the Presbyterian schools. Also the Annual Report of Education for 1881 (pp. 
Ixxviii and 286). 

This brings us to the commencement of organized education by the United States 
Government. The securing of action during all these years it will be noticed the 
deep interest taken by Dr. John Eaton, Commissioner of Education, and when, in 
the year 1877, 1 came to Washington to try and iuflneuco Congress to make provision 
for education in Alaska I received a warm welcome from the Commissioner and 
every facility and encouragement that it was in his power to render. I found in the 
general public very great indift'erence with regard to Alaska. The prevailing opinion 
was that there was nothiug.in that distantisection worth the attention of the national 
Congress. The struggle to awaken a public interest throughout the country and 
through that influence to secure action by Congress was a long and tedious one. 

In the winter of 1877-78 I visited many of the leading cities of the country from 
Boston to Chicago and St. Louis, making addresses upon the condition of Alaska; 
also as I had opportunity wrote articles on the subject for the public press. These 
addresses and articles were repeated again in the winters of 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 
1882, and 1883. 

On December 10, 1877, at my suggestion the Revs. Dr. Henry Kendall and Cyrus 
Dickson, secretaries of the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church, 
addressed a letter to the honorable Secretary of the Interior, asking for Government 
aid for education in Alaska. In the spring of 1879 Hon. Carl Schurz, Secretary of the 
Interior, called upon Dr. Henrj'^ Kendall and Dr. Sheldon Jackson, who were about to 
visit Alaska, for a report upon the condition of the natives of Alaska, which report 
was sent to the Secretary of the Interior October 15, 1879. In reply the honorable Sec- 
retary of the Interior suggested the enlargement or increase of former eliorts in the 
way of holding coaveutiona throughout the country and rousing public sentiment. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1445 

Tliis 8iigp;fl9tion was adopted with the result that petitions and memorials com- 
menced pouring in upon Cons^ress. In Jaiiuarj', 1880, Hon. .Fames A. (jarlield pre- 
sented a series of these memorials' in the House of Representatives, and on the 2d 
of Febrnary, 1880, Hon. Henry L. Dawes presented similar memorials in the Senate. 

Through the rising public sentiment, and especially the influence of Gen. .John 
Eaton, the Connnissioner of Education, there was secured on December 1, 1880, an 
official recognitiiin of the needs of Alaska when President Hayes, in his message to 
Congress, said with regard to Alaska: "The problem is to supply the Territory for 
a populatu)n so scattered and so peculiar in its origin and condition. The natives 
are repoi'ted to be tractable and self-supporting, and if properly instructed doubt- 
less would advance rapidly in civilization, and a new factor of prosperity would be 
added to the national life. I therefore recommend the requisite legislation upon the 
subject." 

Again on December 6, 1881, recognition was secured in the annual message to 
Congress of President Arthur, who says: "I regret to state that the people of 
Alaska have reason to complain that they are as yet unprovided with any form of 
government by which life or property can be protected. While the extent of its 
population does not justify the application of the costly machinery of territorial 
administration, there is immediate necessity for constituting snch a form of govern- 
ment as will promote the education of the people and secure the administration of 
justice." 

Again in his message to Congress December 4, 1882, President Arthur says : " Alaska 
is still without any form of civil government. If means were provided for the edu- 
cation of its people and for the protection of their lives and property the immense 
resources of that region would invite permanent settlers and open new fields for 
industry and enterprise." 

Upon the 4th of Febrnary, 1882, Gen. John Eaton sent a special letter to the 
honorable Secretary of the Interior calling attention anew to the need of schools in 
Alaska. On the 8th day of the same month the Hon. S. J. Kirkwood, Secretary of 
the Interior, transmitted the same to the President, and upon the 15th of February, 
1882, the President transmitted both letters to the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives."" 

1 "Whereas the TTnited States is responsible for the proper care and government of AlasTja, the native 
inhabitants of -which aud Creoles of mixed blood are docile, peaceful, partially civilized, apt in the 
mechanical arts, and anxious for instruction; and 

Whereas it is believed to be the wise policy as well as duty of the Government to adopt prompt 
measures for their education, with a view to their admission to the rights of citizenship; and 

Whereas it is both cheaper and more humane to give them educational facilities now than to fight 
them hereafter at a largely increased cost; and 

Whereas they are a self-supporting ]>eople, needing no annuities, clothing, or rations from the Gov- 
ernment, but do need teachers, whirch they can not procure for themselves ; and 

Whereas the Government receives an annual revenue from Alaska of $317,500, and only returns to 
that country in the form of salaries of United States oflBcers, pay of monthly mail steamer, support 
of steam revenue cutter, etc., the sum of about $65,000, leaving a net revenue of over $250,000 : There- 
fore, 

We, the undersigned, citizens of the United States, do hereby memorialize yonr honorable body to 
appropriate from the revenue of Alaska in the Treasury the sum of $50,000, or so much thereof as 
may be necessary, to be expended by the Commissioner of Education, under the direction of the hon- 
orable Secretary of the Interior, for the establishment, under competent teachers, of schools for the 
instruction of the native population and Creoles of Alaska in the English language, the common 
branches of an English education, the principles of a republican government, and such industrial 
pursuits as may seem best adapted to their circumstances. 

*To the Senate and House of Representatives : 

I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a letter from the Secretary of the Interioi, 
inclosing a letter from the Commissioner of Education, in which the recommendation is made that an 
appropriation of $50,000 be made for the purpose of education in AJaska. 

Chester A. Arthur, i 

Executive Mansion, February 15, 188S. * 



Department of the Tnterioh, 

Washington, February 8, ISSi. 
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your consideration, a letter from the Commissioner 
of Education, in which he recommends that an appropriation of $50,000 be made for the establishment 
and maintenance of schools in Alaska. 
I concur in tlie recommendation that the appropriation be made. 

Very respectfully, S. J. Kirkwood, Secretary. 

The Peesident. 



Department of the Interior, BuEEAtr of Education, 

Washington, February 4, 1889. 
■ SrR: My attention is called to the provisions of the law determining the purpose and duties of this 
office, which provides that it shall "collect statistics and facts showing the condition and progress of 
education in the several States and Territories, and to diffuse such information respecting the organ- 
ization and management of schools and school systems and methods of teaching as shall aid the people 
of the United States ia the estabhshment and maintenance of efficient school evstems and otherwise 



1446 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

Following this movement of the highest officials of the land, a series of lectures 
by myself on Alaska was arranged in the varions churches of the difl'erent de- 
nominations in Washington, in February, 1882, and a card of invitation giving 
the dates and places of said lectures, was sent to each Congressman. In April of 
the same year. Dr. JohuM. Reid, secretary of the Methodist Episcopal Missions, and 
Dr. Henry L. Morehouse, secretary of the Baptist Home Missions, and Dr. Henry 
Kendall and William C. Roberts, secretaries of the Presbyterian Home Missions, at 
my request sent printed circulars to leading and influential men of their respective 
denominations throughout th;- United States, asking them to circulate petitions in 
their sections for signature to be mailed to their respective Congressmen, asking for 
the establishment of schools in Alaska. 

The general assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, 
in session at Saratoga Springs, May, 1883, took the following action : 

" In view of the pressing needs of Alaska, where our missions have been singularly 
successful, we recommend that the general assembly appoint a committee of five per- 
sons, who shall wait upon the President of the United"States and the Secretary of 
the Interior, asking of the Government through them the establishment of civil gov- 
ernment among these people of Alaska, and pressing upon them the necessity of 
establishing industrial schools in that Territory." 

At the fifty-first annunl meeting of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, 
Saratoga Springs, May 25, 1883, the following resolution was adopted: 

"The committee on work among the Indians reported. * * * From the country 
of Alaska comes a cry for help as pitiful and as hopeless as any that ever startled 
Christian ears from the lands beyond the sea. What answer will onr great denomi- 
nation make to this repeated appeal? We repeat the recommendation made to the 
society a year ago, that missionaries be sent as soon as practicable to the Indians of 
Alaska." Report adopted. 

The following was ordered sent to the President of the United States and the Sec- 
retary of the Interior: 

"Resolved, That as Alaska is the only section of the United States where Govern- 
mental or local aid has not been furnished for the education of the people; and as 
the establishment of schools will assist in civilizing the native population, prevent 
Indian Avars, and prepare them for citizenship; 

"Therefore, the American Baptist Home Missionary Society in session at Saratoga 
Springs, May, 1883, would respectfully petition you to renew your recommendation 
to Congress for an educational appropriation for Alaska." 

promote the cause of education throughout the country;" and it is affirmed that I have not yet made 
any specific recommendation with regard to education in Alaska. I can not claim to be ignorant of 
the fact that there is no law either for the protection of life or property or for the establishment of 
schools in that Territory, nor would I be among those who are indifferent to facts reflecting so unfa- 
vorably upon us as a people. I have sought'diligently to gather all information in regard to the 
education of the children of Alaskans, as will be seen by reference to the several reports of this office. 
Prior to the purchase of Alaska tbe Russian Government had schools in portions of that country. 
"When it was transferred to the United States those schools were geni'rally discontinued, and the entire 
Territory, with few exceptions, has been left without any means of ediication. From the census of 
1880 we learn that there are about 30,000 people in Alaska, and of tliese it is believed there are abou^ 
10,000 children or young people who ought to have some school privileges. 
With regard to this people, it may be observed — 

(1) That f hey are docile, peaceful, and have here and there some knowledge of useful industries j 
are apt in the mechanical arts, and anxious for instruction. 

(2) They are a self-supporting people, needing no annuities, clothing, or rations from the Govern- 
ment, but do need teachers that they can not procure for themselves. These teachers should instruct 
them not only in letters, but in the arts of civilized life and the duties of American citizenship. 

(3) If given an opportunity for this kind of instruction for a few years they would, it is believed, 
make good progress In throwing off tribal relations and in preparation to become an integral ])ortion 
of the American people, thus contributing to the common wealth and prosperity of the country. 

(4) It is well known that civilization in approaching an untutoroil people may be their destruction 
by eencfing its vices before its virtues. It is equally well known that various weeds spring up spon- 
taneously where useful plants must be cultivated, and that not neglect but painstaking care is neces- 
sary to the improvement of the human mind. 

The people of Alaska having received some measure of aid from the Knssian Government, have 
expected the same from the United States. The natives, already to a limited extent demoralizetl by 
the introduction of intemperance and disease, it is thought would, by the introduction of schools, be 
prepared better to resist these evils and stand a far better chance to be a permanent and prosperous 
race. 

(5) The development of the fishing interests, the discovery of gold, and the increase of commerce in 
that region are now calling public attention to it, and the "time seems to have arrived when school 
privileges should be immediately provided. In 1870 Congress appropriated $50,000 for education.al 
purposes in Alaska, which, on account of difficulties of administration at that time, was not expended 
there. This amount could now be expended there, I am sure, with most satisfactory results. 

In accordance, therefore, with these considerations, and in order not to come short of any duty 
required of me by law, I have the honor to recommend that Congress be requested to appropriate 
$50,000 for the establishment and maintenance of schools for instruction in letters and industry, at 
Bach points in Alaska as shall be designated by the honorable Secretary of the Interior. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Jom< Eaton, Commissioner, 
The Seceetaet of the Intebiob. 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1447 

Peeling the need, not only of enlisting the churc hes, as had heen done through 
their central missionary societies, but also the educators of the land in behalf of 
Alaska, on the 23d of March, 1882, through the courtesy of Gen. John Eaton, Com- 
missiouer of Eduration, I was invited to address the superintendents' section of the 
National Education Association, at their meeting in Washington, on the needs of 
Alaska. The association unanimously adoj)ted the following resolution: 

"Whereas the native population of Alaska have alone of all sections of our com- 
mon country been overlooked in educational provisions, and, whereas, the President 
has sent to Congress a special message asking for an appropriation of $50,000 for 
education in Alaska, to be disbursed through the National Bureau of Education; 
There lore, 

"licsoh-ed, That this association earnestly request the Committees on Education and 
Labor of the Senate and House of Kepresentatives to give favorable consideration to 
the above. re<iuest." 

The year 1883 was signalized by the unanimous action of the various educational 
associations that I could visit and address. On July 11, 1883, at the twenty-second 
annual meeting of the National Education Association held at Saratoga, N. Y,, the 
following resolutions were unanimously adopted: 

" To the Friends of Education : 

"The National Education Association of the United States, in session at Saratoga 
Springs, July 9-11, 1883, took the following action Avith reference to education in 
Alaska: 

" Whereas Alaska is the only large section of the United States for which some 
educational jirovisiou has not been made by law; and 

" Whereas it is a reflection upon our interest in universal education that Alaska 
should be worse off than when under the control of Russia, the United States having 
neglected to continue the schools that for mauy years were sustained by the Russian 
Government, or substitute better ones in their places; and 

"Whereas the President of the United States transmitted to the last Congress a 
paper from the honorable Commissioner of Education, calling attention to this 
neglect; Therefore, 

"liesolved, (1) That the president and secretary of this association be requested 
to prepare a paper asking the Government to make some provision for an industrial 
training school at Sitka, the capital; and for an appropriation to be expended by the 
Commissioner of Education, under the direction of the honorable Secretary of the 
Interior, lor the establishment of schools at such points in Alaska as may be desig- 
nated by the Commissioner of Education. 

" (2) That copies of the paper so prepared, signed on behalf of this association by 
the president and secretary, shall be transmitted to the President of the United 
States, the honorable Secretary of the Interior, and the Committees on Labor and 
Education in the Senate and House of Representatives. 

" Similar action has been taken by the department of superintendence of the asso- 
ciation, by the National Education Assembly, and by the Massachusetts, Vermont, 
New Hampshire and Connecticut State teachers' associations. 

"In accordance with the above resolution of the association, we have sent memo- 
rials to the Piesident, the Secretary of the Interior, United States Commissioner of 
Education, and both Houses of Congress. 

" Since then we are gratified to notice that the President in his annual message, and 
the Secretary of the Interior and Commissioner of Indian Affairs in their annual 
reports to Congress have earnestly called the attention of that body to the needs of 
Alaska. 

" Further action is dependent upon Congress. But in the many interests claiming 
the attention of Congress and the pressure of political matters preceding a Presi- 
dential election, nothing will be done, unless the friends of education flood Congress 
with petitions asking special attention to the urgent needs of schools in Alaska. 

"Please therefore take the inclosed, or some similar petition, sign it yourself, offer 
it to as many friends and neighbors as convenient, and then mail it at an early date 
to your Representative in Congress, or to either of the Senators from your State, or 
to the person named in the petition. 

"Thomas W. Bickn^ll, President. 
"H. S. Tarbell, Secretary." 

This paper was printed as a circular and sent by the thousand to the public-school 
teachers of the country. 

At the second annual meeting of the National Education Assembly held at Ocean 
Grove, N. J., August 9-12, 1883, upon motion of Gen. T. J. Morgan, the following 
action was taken: 

"Resolved, That we recognize with profound gratitude to God the cheering prog- 
ress that marks the efforts to civilize the American Indians; that we see in this an 
unanswerable argument in favor of the continuance on the part of the Government 



1448 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

of tlie so-cnllecl peace policy; that we urge upon Congress the enlargement of tlie 
■work already in progress, until adequate provision shall be made for the systematic 
education of all Indians of proper school age; that we specially urge the Importance 
of appropriation of money for general education in Alaska and for the establishment 
of an industrial and normal school at Sitka; that we pledge ourselves, and call upon 
all philanthropists, not only to aid the Government in this great work, but to do all 
that can be done, privately and publicly, to carry forward this great enterprise, 
until the American Indians become American citizens, with individual rights of 
property and suffrage and individual responsibilities and duties." 

On the 19th of October, 1883, the Connecticut State Teachers' Association, in ses- 
sion at New Haven, took action as follows: 

" Resolved, That we specially urge the importance of the appropriation of money 
for general education in Alaska and for the establishment of an industrial and nor- 
mal school at Sitka; that we pledge ourselves and call upon all philanthropists not 
only to aid the Government in this great work, but to do all that can be done pri- 
vately and publicly to carry forward this great enterprise until the American Indians 
become American citizens with individual rights of property and suffrage, and indi- 
vidual responsibilities and duties." 

They were followed bj^ the Vermont State Teachers' Association, in session at Mont- 
pelier October 25, 1883, who reported: 

" The Vermont State Teachers' Association, in session at Montpelier October 24 to 
27, 1883, learn with regret that since the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United 
States, sixteen years have been allowed to pass without extending to the population 
educational advantages. We feel ashamed as American citizens that any section of 
our land should be worse off under our control than under the control of Russia, we 
having failed to continue the schools which for many years were sustained by the 
Russian Government. We learn, therefore, with great pleasure that on February 15, 
1882, the President transmitted to Congiess a communication from the Secretary of 
the Interior recommending that an appropriation of $50,000 be made for the establish- 
ment and maintenance of schools in Alaska, and that the honorable Secretary of the 
Interior proposed to make to the coming Congress a recommendation for industrial 
schools in that country ; therefore, we join in the earnest request of the better por- 
tion of the American people that an appropriation be made for the establishment of 
an industrial training school similar to those at Carlisle and Hampton, at Sitka, the 
capital. Also for the establishment under the direction of the National Bureau of 
Education of schools at the thin centers of population in Alaska. That copies of 
this paper signed by the president and secretary of this association be transmitted 
to the honorable Secretary of the Interior and to both Houses of Congress." 

The same resolution was presented and adopted at the New Hampshire State 
Teachers' Association the following day. 

Massachusetts brought up the rear at her State Teachers' Association in session at 
Boston, December 27 to 29 : 

"Eesolved, That this association cordially seconds the efforts of those who are striv- 
ing to induce the Congress of the United States to appropriate money for public 
education in the Territory of Alaska." 

This list of educational conventions was crowned by a mass meeting held in Park 
Street Congregational Church in Boston on Sabbath evening, December 30. It was 
to have been presided over by Hon. Wendell Phillips, but being prevented from 
attending, Mr. Joseph Cook took his place. Mr. Phillips, however, showed his special 
interest by sending to the mass meeting the following letter, which was his last 
public letter on earth — a fit closing for his noble life. As his strength had been spent 
for the freedom of the slaves and the deliverance of the oppressed, it was suitable 
that his last public act should be a jjlea for Alaska.^ 

1 Boston, Mass., December 29, ISSS. 

My Dear Sir: "What excuse the United States G^Temment can offer for leaving Alaska without 
magistracy or Bchoola passes my conjectiu'e. 

For some fourteen or fifteen years we have owed her a government and received large revenue from 
the Territory. Still it reTuains without law, magistracy, or schools. If it were so poor a country that 
we dreaded the expense of a government we might make some pretense of exjilanat ion — though in any 
circumstance we are bound to protect life and jiruperty wherever our tiag floats, and see that the rising 
generation are fitted for citizenship and the duties of life. But Alaska has poured millions into the 
treasury, and one-third of what we have annually received would suttice for the whole expense of a 
government and schools. If we were called upon to make a beginning and introduce law and educa- 
tion there might be a shadow of excuse in this delay. But Kussia had provided for both, and when we 
bought the province we had but to continue what she had established. From every point of view the 
condition of Alaska is a disgrace to our Government, and calls for immediate action. Cease to receive 
revenue from Alaska or give her an equivalent by protecting life and property, securing peace, and 
offering to every man, woman, and child the means of fitting themselves for citizenship and their 
duties. If we have not leisure to attend to our citizens, then, as the woman said to Philip of Macedon, 
"Cease to be King." I wish I could be with yon to-morrow evening and give my aid in urging all thia 
on the immediate attention of Congreas. 

Yours, respectfully, Wbndkll FHIUJfa 

£eY. Sheldon Jackson. 




2 >. 



o o 

CO ^ 



3 P^ 

Q- i^ 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1440 

With the hearty action and request of the National Education Association, already 
quoted, petitions wore printed by the hundred thousand and sent to the puhlic-school 
teachers of the United States, larjijo numbers of whom secured signatures in their 
respective sectioTis, and then sent them to Congress. Accompanying these, President 
Arthur, on the 4th of December, 18S3, in his message to Congress, says: 

"I trust that Congress will not fail at tlie present session to put Alaska under the 
protection of law. Its people have repeatedly remonstrated against our neglect to 
afford them the maintenance and protection expressly guaranteed by the terms of 
the treaty whereby that Territory was ceded to the United States. For sixteen years 
they have pleaded in vain for that which they should have received without the 
asking. They have no law for the collection of debts, the support of education, the 
conveyance of property, the administration of estates, or the enforcement of con- 
tracts; none, indeed, for the punishment of criminals, except such as oflend against 
certain customs, commerce, and navigation acts. The resources of Alaska, especially 
in fur, mines, and lumber, are considerable in extent, and capable of large develop- 
ment, while its geographical situation is one of political and commercial importance. 
The promptings of interest, therefore, as well as considerations of honor and good 
faith, demand the immediate establishment of civil government in that Territory." 

Spurred by the tens of thousands of petitions, as well as the repeated messages of 
the President, Messrs. Miller, Piatt, Harrison, Rosencranz, Phelps, and others intro- 
duced bills either in the Senate or House of Representatives for establishing a civil 
government of some sort for the Teiritorj'^, which resulted in the adoption of what 
is known as the Harrison bill, creating a government and schools in Alaska, which 
became a law on May 17, 1884. Thus culminated my long struggle, from 1877 to 1884, 
for education and civil government in Alaska, during which I delivered over 900 
addresses on Alaska, held public meetings in all the leading cities from the Atlantic 
to the Pacific, had hearings before the committees of the Forty-sixth, Forty-seventh, 
and Forty-eighth Congresses, besides securing the cooperation of the missionary 
societies and the educational interests of the entire country. 

The "campaign of education" that secured from Congress schools for Alaska, also 
secured the extension of law and government over th.at section.' 

> The Hon. John Eaton, LL. D., then Commissioner of Education, in his annual report for 1882-83 (pp. 
xlv, xlvi), saj-s: 

" As this report is going through the press, the House of Representatives, on the 14th of May, 1884, 
passed the Senate bill providing a civil government for Alaska, which was signed by the President 
on the 17th. This act creates a governor at a salary of $:!,000, a Judge at $0,600, a district attorney 
at $2,500, a marshal at $2,500, a clerk at $2,500, four commis.sioners at $1,000 each and fees, and four 
deputy marshals at $750 each and fees. These officers are appointed by the President, with the 
exception of tlie deputy marshals, who are appointed by the marshal. The seat of government is 
establislied at .Sitka. The four commissioners and four deputy marshals are to reside respectively at 
Sitka, Wrangell, Juneau, and ITualaaka. 

"The laws of Oregon, 80 f;ir as applicable, are extended over the district. A term of the district 
court 18 to be held eacli year at Sitka, commencing on the first Monday of May, and one at Wrangell, 
beginning on the first Monday in November. No provision is made f'or a territorial legislature or a 
delegate in Congress. The general land laws of the United States are not extended over the countrj-. 
The squatter rights of Indians and others are recognized. Mission stations are continued in the 
occupancy of the 640 acres now claimed by them. The owners of mining claims can perfect their 
titles in the usual way. 

" The governor is required to inquire into the operations of the Alaska Commercial Company and 
annually report to Congress the result of such inquiries and any and all violations by said company 
of the aWeement existing between the TTnited States and said company. 

" The Secretary of the Interior is directed to select two of the otticers, who, together with the gov- 
ernor, shall constitute a commission to examine into and report upon the condition of the Indiana 
residing in said Territory; whatlands, if any, should be reserved for their use; what provision shall 
be made for their education ; what rights by occupation of settlers should be recognized, and all other 
facts that may be necessary to enable Congress to determine what limitaticms or conditions should be 
Imposed when the land laws of the United States shall be extended to said district. 

" The importation, manufacture, and sale of intoxicating liquors in said district, except for medici- 
nal, mechanical, and scientific purposes, are prohibited. 

"The Secretary of the Interior is directed to make needful and proper provision for the education 
of the children of school age in the Territory of Alaska, without reference to race, until such time as 
permanent provision shall be made for the same, and the sum of $25,000 is apjiropriated for this pur- 
pose. 

"Thus, after seventeen years of delay, a government has been secured for Alaska. In respect to 
this successful result this Bureau has" endeavored to do its whole duty by obtaining trustworthy 
information in regard to the condition of the inhabitants and their educational needs, and by furnish- 
ing it to the Government officers and to the people. In this etibrt Prof. W. H. Dall, of the United 
States Coast Survey, and Eev. G. H. Atkinson, D. D., of Oregon, were especially helpful. 

" The report of this office for 1870 had a notice of education in Alaska, and year after year these 
notices were continued as data warranted. 

"In 1876 the Commissioner of Education, as representative of the Department of the Interior, 
exT)ended a portion of the funds at his control to secure a representation of native life in Alaska for 
the Centennial Expositi<jn at Pliihideli)hia. 

"In February, 1882, a special report from this office on Education in Alaska, recommending an 
appropriation of $50,000 for schools, was made to the Secretary of the Interior, and by him forwarded 
to Congress through the President. 

"In 1877 Rev. Sheldon Jackson, D. D., superintendent of Presbyterian missions for the Rocky 
Mountain Territories, having had his attention called to Alaska, visited the southeastern portion, and 

ED 95 46* 



1450 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 

On the 2d day of March, 1885, the honorable Secretary of the Interior assigned the 
■work of making provision for the education of the children in Alaska to the Bureau 
of Education. 

"Department of the Interior, 

" Washington, D. C, March 2, 1885. 
"Sir: Section 13 of the act providing a civil government for Alaska devolves upon 
the Secretary of the Interior the duty of making needful and proper provision for 
the education of children of school age in that Territory until permanent provision 
shall be made for the same. 

"The nature of the duties assigned by section 516 of the Revised Statutes to the 
Commissioner of Education would seem to point him out as the proper officer through 
whom the purpose of Congress should be carried into execution. 

" I have to request, therefore, that you prepare a plan of operation and initiate snch 
steps as are n eeessary and proper for carrying into effect the legislation above referred 
to, reporting the results of the same as may be hereafter directed by the Secretary of 
the Interior or whenever in your judgment there may be occasion for so doing. 
" Very respectfully, etc., 

"H. M. Teller, Secretary. 
"The Commissioner of Education." 

It was a work of great magnitude, in a new and untried field, and with unknown 
difficulties. It vras a work so unlike any other that the experience of the past in 
other Departments could not be the sole guide. It was a problem peculiar to itself, 
and must be worked out by and for itself. It covered an area of one-sixth of the 
United States. The schools to be established would be from 4,000 to 6,000 miles from 
headquarters at Washington, and from 100 to 1,000 miles from one another. And 
that in an inaccessible country, only one small corner of which has any public means 
of intercommunication. The teachers of five schools in southeastern Alaska would 
be able to receive a monthly mail ; the larger number of the others could only receive 
a chance mail two or three times a year, and still others only one annually. 

It was to establish English schools among a people the larger portion of whom do 
not speak or understand the English language, the difficulties of which will be 
better appreciated if you conceive of an attempt being made to instruct the children 

established the first American school in that section on the 10th of Angnst, 1877, -with Mrs. A. R. 
McFarland as teacher. Later he established schools at Sitka, Haines (Chilkats), Boyd (Hoonahs), 
and .lackson (Hydahs). Eetiiriiiujj to the States, Dr. Jackson commenced an agitation to arouse the 
dormant public sentiment of the country in behalf of a government-and schools lor A)aska. He held 
public meetings in many of the leading cities and many of the prominent towns from the Pacific to 
the Atlantic, delivering from 1878 to 1884 about nine hundred addreases on Alaska. He went before 
committees of the Forty-sixth, Forty-seventh, and Forty-eighth Congresses, and with unflagging 
zeal sought to enlist the interest of Congressmen. He secured the hearty cooperation of the mission- 
ary societies of the Baptist. Methodist, Congregational, Episcopal, Moravian, and Presbj'terian 
churches. 

"In 1880 he published a book on Alaska, and on March 23, 1882, delivered an address before the 
Department of Superintendence of the National Educational Association, which was printed by this 
Bureau in Circular of Information No. 2, 1882. Of this circular three editions have been called for, 
making an aggregate of 60,000 copies. During the summer of 1883 he visited the twenty-second 
annual meeting of the National Educational Association of the TJnited States, the second National 
Educational Assembly, and the State Teachers' associations of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massa- 
chusetts, and Connecticut, each of which passed strong resolutions asking Congress to provide a 
school system for Alaska. , i 

"Through these meetings the teachers became interested, and thousands of petitions, from teachers, 
scattered from Maine to Texas and from Florida to Oregon, were sent to Congressmen, asking for 
schools for Alaska. So persistent and continuous was the pressure invoked by Dr. Jackson from so 
many, varied, and widely separated forces, that when the bill was reached Congress passed it with 
great unanimity." 

House of Kepresentativks, Washington, D. O., May 1, 1885. 

Mt Dear Sir: In view of the very great and general interest manifested in regard to everything 
pertaining to Alaska, I feel like congratulating you on the reward you are now receiving for your long, 
unwearied, and very efficient labors on behalf of that distant portion of our country. When I remem- 
ber your faithful work for Alaska wliile yon were superintendent of Presbyterian Missions for the 
Kocky Mountain Territories, your able aiid successfal efforts to arouse public sentiment in behalf of 
a government and schools for Alaska, and your addresses all over the country on the subject, taken 
with what has come under my personal observation while a Member of the Forty-eight Congress and 
a member of the Committee on Territories and on the sub committee having in charge the bill pro- 
posing a civil government for Alaska, I say without any hesitation that in my humble judgment, to 
you more than to any other one man or agency is due the success thus far attained in the direction of 
the establisliing of a form of government, and the improvement in the condition of the inhabitants of 
Alaska. I took from the first, a special interest in tlie bill before our committee because of the infor- 
mation you furnished and your connection with the matter. Please accept mv sincere congratulation* 
on your appointment as the first superintendent of public instruction for Alaska, and believe me 
"S ours, very truly, 

F. A. Johnson, 
Member o/ Congress Twenty-Jlret IHstrict, New xorh, ' 

£ev. Sheldon Jackson, D. IX 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1451 

of New Yorlc or Georgia in aritlimetic, geograpby, and other common-school hranches 
through the nicdinni of Chinese teachers and tcxt-hook8. Of the 36,000 people in 
Alaska, not over 2,000 speak the English tongue, and they are mainly in three 
Bettlemeuts. 

It was to instruct a people, the greater portion of whom are uncivilized, who need 
to be taught sanitary regulations, the laws of health, improvement of dwellings, 
better methods of honsekee]>ing, cooking, and dressing, more rc^miinerative forms of 
labor, honesty, chastity, the sacredness of the marriage relation, and everything 
that elevates man. So that, side by side with the usual school drill in reading, 
writing, and arithmetic, there is need of instruction for the girls in housekeeping, 
cooking, and gardening, in cutting, sewing, and mending; and for the boys in 
carpentering and other forms of woodworking, boot and shoemaking, and the various 
trades of civilization. 

It was to furnish educational advantages to a people, large classes of whom are 
too ignorant to appreciate them, and who require some form of pressure to oblige 
them to keep their children in school regularly. It was a system of schools among 
a people, who, while in the main only partially civilized, yet have a future before 
them as American citizens. 

It was the establishment of schools in a region where not only the schoolhouse but 
also the teacher's residence must be erected, and where a portion of the material 
must be transported from 1,500 to 4,500 miles, necessitating a corresponding increase 
in the school expenditure. 

It was the finding of properly qualified teachers, who, for a moderate salary, 
wonld be willing to exile themselves from all society, and some of them settle down 
in regions of arctic winters, where they can hear from the outside world only once a 
year. 

To the magnitude of the work, and the special difficulties environing it, is still 
further added the complication arising from the lack of sufficient funds to carry it 
on, there being appropriated only $25,000 with which to commence it. 

On the 9th of April the Commissioner of Education addressed a communication' 
to the honorable Secretary of the Interior, requesting authority to appoint a gen- 
eral agent to take charge of the Alaska work, and upon the 11th of April, 1885, the 
Secretary granted the request and directed the establishment of the office of "general 
agent of education in Alaska." 

On the 11th of April, 1885, Eev. Sheldon Jackson, D. D., was appointed by the 
Commissioner of Education general agent of education in Alaska and at once entered 
upon the work. 

In southeastern Alaska the establishment of schools, in comparison with the diffi- 
culties met in other sections of this land, was easy, as four of the seven schools can 

'Department op the Interiok, Bureau op Education, 

WasJtington, I). C, April 9, 1885. 

Sir: In c.arrving out the orders of tlie Department under the law providing for the establishment of 
common schools iu Alaska, I find a condition of facts which I wish to submit to your consideration, 
togftber wit ha recommendation. The nearest schoolin Alaska will bo about4,500miles from Washing- 
ton, and all of the schools will be widely separated from each other, some of them doubtless over 6,000 
miles from this city. The appropriation of $25,000 for the entire work is very small, and much should 
be done in the way of inducing the communities where there is money to cooperate in bearing expenses, 
and thus increasing the amount to bo accomplished by the small fund at command. I see no way to 
organize schools sufficiently under these circumstances but by the appointment of someone in Alaska 
as a general agent of education. 

Residing at Sitka, this superintendent could go out in the naval vessel to visit the several chief 
centers of i opulation, where schools can bo established, and interest the people, judge intelligently of 
the requirements for buildings, teachers, etc., and thus furnish the data for iiitelligent direction of 
the schools here in "Washington. I therefore reeommend that a general agent of education for Alaska 
be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, to report to this olHce for orders and instructions, at a 
nominal salary of $1,200 a year, which will but little more than cover expense.s. Before concluding 
to make this recommendation I may add that I have conferred with a considerable number of very 
intelligent persons who have visited Alaska, all of whom thoroughly concur in the view that it would 
be impossible to niaiKTgo schools there efficiently without a local sa])erintendent. 

The governor of the Territory when hero recently expressed himself to the same effect. In looking 
for the proper person to become such an agent, I tind no one either bd well qualified or so strongly 
recommended as Mr. Sheldon Jackson. He has rei)eatedly visited conaider.able portions of the country, 
and written a book which is a ]iopular source of information in reg.ard to its people and their progress, 
and led the way in the establi.slunent of the schools at present taught in the Territory, and is now 
their superintendent. Ho was unanimously recommended for the position of superintendent of instruc- 
tion by allot the private organizations sometime since aiming to promote education in Alaska, and by 
a consider.able numl)er of prominent men. I" have known Mr. Jackson thoroughly for a considerable 
number of years. He is a Christian gentleman of excellent ability, great energy, and, I believe, 
epecially fitted to carry through 8ucce.ssfully the plan of establishing schools in that far-off country. 
I have the honor to be, very reapectfuUy, your obedient servant, 

JOHK Eaton, Oommisnoner, 

The Secretary op the Interior, Washingtvii, D. O. 

Approved : 

L. Q. C. Lamar, Secretary^ 



1452 EDUCATION REPORT, 1894-95. 

be reached monthly by the mail steamer. Further, schools had been kept at all 
these points but two for several years by teachers in the employ of the Board of 
Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church, This missionary organization was the 
first of the American churches to enter that neglected land. Finding no schools, 
they established them side by side with their missions, proposing to furnish educa- 
tional advantages until the General Government should be ready to do it. Therefore 
whenever the Government was ready to undertake the work in any village occupied 
by the Presbyterians, they turned over their schools to the Government. As the 
Presbyterians had a body of efficient teachers already on the ground, acclimated, 
experienced in the work, more or less acquainted with the native language, and pos- 
sessing the confidence of the peojile, it was both more economical to the Government 
and for the best interests of the schools that they should as far as possible be reem- 
ployed, which was done. 

Special requests having been received for an early inauguration of the public- 
school system in Sitka and Juneau, I gave them my tirst attention. 

Sitlca. — By permission of the collector of the port, who is the custodian of the 
Government buildings, I took possession of a log house in the center of the village 
and repaired it as best I could under the circumstances. In this building a school 
was opened on .June 22, 188.5, with ]\iiss Margaret Powell, of western Pennsylvania, 
as teacher. The pupils were from white and Russian Creole families. On the 16th 
of November, 1885, a public school was established for the native children, with 
Miss Kate A. Rankin, of western Pennsylvania, as teacher. 

Juneau. — This was the principal mining center of Alaska, with the largest American 
population of any place in the Territory. A log carpenter shop was erected and 
fixed up for the school room, and the school opened on the 1st of June with Miss 
Marion B. Murphy, of Oregou, as teacher. Looking forward to the erection of a 
suitable school building in the near future, I selected a block of land in the center 
of the village, with the concurrence of the United States Commissioner, and had a 
cheap fence thrown around it, in order to secure it for school purposes. 

Hoonah. — This important village is 130 miles by water north from Sitka. The 
school, originally started by the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, was trans- 
ferred to the Government and the fall term oi)ened on Tuesday, September 1, the 
teacher being Mrs. Maggie Dunbar McFarland, wife of the missionary at that place. 

Fort Wraiif/el, 333 miles southeast of Sitka, had a school which had been under 
way since 1877, supported by the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Presby- 
terian Church. It was transferred to the Government and opened the 1st day of 
September, with Miss Lydia McAvoy as teacher. 

Huines (200 miles by water north of Sitka). — This school likewise was transferred 
from the missionary society and was opened the 1st of September, with Miss Sarah 
M. Dickinson, an educated half-breed, as teacher. 

Jackson. — This village is 533 miles by water south of Sitka. The school that had 
been opened by the Presbyterian missionaries in 1881, was likewise transferred to 
the Government and opened as a public school on the 1st of September, 1885, with 
Miss Clara A. Gould as teacher. 

There being no regular communication between Sitka and western Alaska, and as 
it would take the entire season to go from Sitka to San Francisco, visit the leading 
places in western Alaska and return, I was unable the first year to do more for that 
section than to send Mr. Salomon Ripinsky to Unalaska, where a school was opened 
in October, 1885. 

Communication with interior Alaska in 1885 was very difficult. If I wished to 
visit the school on the Yukon River, my nearest way was to take the m.ail steamer 
from Sitka to .Juneau, 166 miles, then hire a canoe and natives to take me, together 
with blankets an#l provisions, to the head of Dyya Inlet, about 100 miles. Then 
leaving the water, a fresh crew of natives would be hired to carry my supplies 25 
miles on foot, over a dangerous mountain trail, to the upper waters of the Yukon, 
then construct a raft and float down the stream 1,.500 miles to Nulato, or 1,750 miles 
to Anvik. The trip would occupy two mouths. Another practicable way was to 
take the mail steamer to San Francisco, 1,600 miles, then a chance steamer to St. 
Michaels, 3, 264 miles, then a small river steamer that makes one trip a year to Nulato, 
769 miles, a total distance of 5,633 miles. To make the trip and return in the same 
year would require close connections. 

If I wished to visit the school a"! Bethel, I could take a mail steamer from Sitka 
to San Francisco, 1,600 miles, then wait until some vessel sailed for Unalaska, 2,418 
miles, then wait again until some trading vessel had occasion to visit the mouth of 
the Kuskokwim River, 461 miles, and go from thence in a bidarka (sea-lion-skin 
canoe) 150 miles up the river, a total of 4,629 miles. By the same tedious route the 
teachers received their annual mail, except that it started from San Francisco. 

During the summer of 1884 the American branch of the Moravian Church, upon 
my representation, had sent a commission, consisting of Rev. A. Hartman and Rev. 
H, Weinlaud, to visit the western section of Alaska and secure a suitable location 




< H 






REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1453 

for a mission to tlie Eslvinios. The result of tbeir exploration was the locating of a 
inisi-sion station named 15etliol, 150milea up the Kuskokwini liivcr. 

On the 18th of May, 1885, a party consisting of Kev. William H. "Weinland and 
Rev. J. H. Killliuck (Uolaware Indian) and their wives, with Mr. John Torgerson, 
the mechanic and lay assistant, sailed from San Francisco, reaching the mouth of 
tlie Kuskokwim on the 19th of June. Being ou the ground I appointed Mr. J. H. 
Killbuck teacher at Bethel. 

At Killisnoo, 80 miles northeast of Sitka, a school was opened in January, 1886, 
■with George B. Johnston as teacher. The same winter Mr. Louis Paul, a native, was 
Bent to open a school at Port Tongass. 

Having given the entire school year for 1885-86 to the organization of public 
schools in southeastern Alaska, I commenced early arrangements to make a trip to 
western Alaska during 1886-87. 

The work of education in Alaska for 1886-87 was greatly hindered by the delay of 
Congress in making the appropriation. Until it was definitely known how much 
would be appropriated for education no plan of work could be arranged. Until the 
appropriation was actually made the office was left in doubt whether it would be 
able to enlarge the work, or merely continue existing schools, or disband them. 

The appropriation was not made until August, 1886. In the meantime the trading 
vessels that sail from San Francisco to Bering Sea in the spring and return in the 
fall had all sailed, and with them th« only regular opportunity of sending teachers 
and school supplies to western Alaska. To wait until the following spring would 
involve the delay of another year in establishing the schools. Under the circum- 
stances there was no alternative but to charter a vessel for the work of the Bureau. 
This, in addition to meeting a necessity, enabled the Commissioner to secure reliable 
information concerning the educational needs of the principal centers of population 
among the civilized Eussians, Aleuts, and Eskimos of southern and southwestern 
Alaska. 

With the commencement of the public agitation, which resulted in securing 
schools for Alaska, the Commissioner had sought diligently for reliable and explicit 
information concerning that unktiown region. When, in 1885, the responsibility of 
establishing schools in that section was placed upon him he more than ever felt the 
need of the information that was necessary for intelligent action in the school work. 
An application was then made to the honorable Secretary of the Navy, and he issued 
instructions to the commanding officer of the U. S. S. Pinta, then in Alaskan waters, 
to take the general agent of education in Alaska on a tour of inspection along the 
coast. A combination of circumstances prevented the ship from making the trip. 

The necessity which arose in the fall of 1886 of sending the teachers furnished the 
long-desired opportunity of securing the needed information. 

The schooner Leo, of Sitka, was chartered, because the terms were lowest, and 
because the vessel had auxiliary steam power, which enabled it to get in and out of 
harbors and through the narrow channels between the islands, where, without this 
auxiliary power, we would have been delayed weeks. 

The cruise proved a stormy one, consuming one hundred and four days. Passing 
through the equinoctial storms, we encountered the early winter gales of that high 
latitude. We lost 2 sails, were stranded on a reef of rocks, nearly lost a sailor over- 
board, while repeatedly great seas washed completely over lis. 

Taking on board of the Leo Mr, John H. Carr and wife; Mr. W, E. Roscoe, wife 
and child; Rev. and Mrs. James A. AVirth, and Rev. and Mrs. L. W. Currie and child, 
together with their household effects and provisions, also necessary school supplies, 
I sailed from Puget Sound September 3. Visits were made to Kadiak, Wood Island, 
Spruce Island, Albgnak, Karluk, Akhiok, Ayakharalik, Kaguiak, Unga, Belskofsky, 
Unalaska, Jackson, Klawak, Tuxikan, Sitka, Killisnoo, Hoonah, Juneau, Douglas, 
Wrangell, Loring, and Port Tongass. At Unga, on the Shumagin Island, I landed 
Mr. and Mrs. John II. Carr with school books, <lesks, etc., for the establishment of a 
school. Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Roscoe were similaiiy landed at Kadiak ; Rev. and Mrs. 
James A. Wirth were lauded through the breakers at Afognak, and the Rev. L. W. 
Currie and family were lauded at Tuzikan, at all of which places schools were 
established. 

On the 1st day of July, 1886, a contract was entered into with Dr. William S. 
Langford, secretary of the Protestant Episcopal Mission Board of New York City, 
by which Rev. Octavius Parker, of Oregon, was apjjointed teacher, and directed to 
establish a school in the Yukon Valley. Being unable to reacli his destination the 
first season the school was opened temporarily at St. Michael ou the coast. A simi- 
lar contract was made with the officers of the missionHry soiiety of the Moravian 
Church to establish a school at the mouth of the Nushagak River. Rev. Frank E. 
Wolff, of Wisconsin, accompanied by his family and Miss Mary Huber, were sent as 
teachers to that ])lace. These schools, with the one at Bethel, 500 miles from each 
other, and central to a population of from 10,000 to 12,000 uncivilized Eskimos in 
western Alaska, were the entering wedges to the oivilization of that whole great 



1454 EDUCATION EEPORT, 1894-95. 

region — the beginning of better things. Prof. S. A. Saxman and wife were trans- 
ferred from Loring, which school was abandoned, to Fort Tongass. The year 1887 
was marked by the visit to southeastern Alaslca of the Hon. N. H. E. Dawson, then 
Commissioner of Education; also the establishment by the Secretary of the Interior 
of a Territorial board of education composed of the governor of the Territory, the 
judge of the United States district court, and the general agent of education. 
Under the new order of things a set of rules and regulations for governing the 
schools of Alaska was issued by the Secretary of the Interior on June 15, 1887. The 
year was also noted by the removal of some 700 civilized and christianized Tsimps- 
hean natives, under the lead of Mr. William Duncan, from Metlakahtla, British 
Columbia, to Point Chester, Annette Island, Alaska; the colony was called New 
Metlakahtla. 

The.school temporarily established the previous year at St. Michael on the coast 
of Bering Sea was removed to Anvik in the Yukon Valley. During the year a second 
school was established at Juneau for the use of the native children; considerable 
friction was developed by the attempt to unite the children of the white and native 
population in the same school room. During the year a school building was erected 
by the Government at Killisnoo. This was the first school building erected by the 
Government in Alaska. 

The native industrial training school, Sitka, Alaska, was established by the 
Woman's Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church, in 1880. In the absence 
of any public provision by the Government for needy orphans, they were freely 
received into the school. Small children whose mothers had died, and for whom 
there was no oue to care, were also received. It became a refuge for homeless and 
friendless waifs, for children fleeing for their lives from the tortures of witchcraft. 
It gave them a good home and a training that made them good citizens instead of 
allowing them to grow up vagabonils. It also became a reformatory to which the 
United States district court, not knowing what else to do with young offenders, 
committed them. It was the only place in Alaska where a young man could learn a 
trade. It also became the high school to which bright pupils in the various day 
schools, desiring greater advantages than their local school could afford them, were 
advanced. It also, to a limited extent, gave normal training to the first of the native 
teachers of the country. In 1884 it was made a contract school under the Indian 
Bureau of the Government, but in 1887 it was transferred to the care of the Bureau 
of Education, with an enrollment of 186 pupils, representing 15 nationalities or 
tribes. During the year an English school and mission was opened at Yakutat by 
Rev. Adolf Lydell, representing the Swedish Evangelical Mission Union of the 
United States. During the school year 1887-88, schoolhouses were erected at Sitka 
and Juneau, and the Government hospital at Wrangell refitted and made into a com- 
fortable schoolroom. The school year 1887-88 was marked by the death of Rev. L. 
W. Currie, teacher at Klawack, the erection of a building for school No. 2 at Sitka, 
the transference of 2 boys and 4 girls from the training school at Sitka to the East 
for education. The 4 girls were sent to the Ladies' Seminary at Northfield, Mass., 
at the expense of Mrs. Elliott F. Shepard. The 2 boys were cared for at the Indian 
school at Carlisle. 

During the year 1888-89 the former school board of three was increased to five by 
the addition o'f the United States commissioner at Fort Wrangell and Mr. William 
Duncan, superintendent of tlie colony of Metlakahtla. In 1889-90, to take effect on 
the 1st of July, 1890, the Secretary of the Interior issued a new set of rules and 
regulations for tlie conduct of schools and education in the District of Alaska. 
Among the important changes made by the new rules was the discontinuance of the 
Territorial board of education, experience having proved that it did not work well. 
and a system of local unpaid school committees was inaugurated. Owing to the 
growth of the work it was deemed advisable to create the position of assistant agent. 
Mr. William Hamilton was appointed to this position. During the year comfortable 
frame schoolhouses and teachers' residences were erected at Kadiak, Karluk, and 
Afognak. At Douglas a substantial frame schoolhouse was erected, and at Chilcat 
a log schoolhouse. 

Of the Alaskan children in eastern schools Miss Frances Willard graduated at a 
young ladies seminary at Elizabeth, N. J., in June, 1890, and was the first to return 
to Alaska and take up teaching; she was appointed assistant teacher in the indus- 
trial school at Sitka. 

The inauguration of schools in Arctic and subarctic Alaska among the Eskimos 
was the special feature of educational work in Alaska for 1890-91. Hitherto the 
schools had largely been confined to the North Pacific and Bering Sea coasts of 
Alaska, togther with the vallevs of the Y'ukon, Kaskokwim, and Nushagak rivers. 
But in 1889 Commander C. H."^ Stockton of the U. S. S. Thetis, who had recently 
returned from a cruise along the Arctic coast of Alaska, made a personal representa- 
tion to me of the need of schools among the Eskimo settlements of that region. 
Upon reporting the request to the Commissioner of Education 1 was authorized to 



REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA. 1455 

visit the headquarters of the various missionary societies and confer with the secre- 
taries of the same with regard to the establishment of contract schools in Arctic 
Alaska, with the result that the Woman's Executive Committee of Home Missions 
of the Presbyterian Church, agreed to establisli a school at Point Barrow, the north- 
ernmost point of land on the main continent of North America. The American 
Missionary Association of the Congregationaliats agreed to establish a school at 
Cape Prince of Wales on Bering Straits, and the Episcopal Board of Missions at 
Point Hope, lying about midway between the other two. These comprised the 
three principal villages on that part of the coast. School huildiitgs were erected 
at Cape Prince of Wales and Point Hope, and a. room in the Government refuge 
station was secured for the school at Point Barrow. 

In the spring of 1890, by permission of the Secretary of the Treasury and the 
courtesy of Capt. L. G. Shepard, chief of the Revenue-Cutter Service, and Capt. 
M. A. Healy, commanding the revenue-cutter Bear, I was able to visit the entire 
Alaska coast of Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean; also about 100 miles of the coast 
of Siberia, both south and north of the Arctic Circle. As the captain of the ship 
had been requested to take a census of the coast villages of that region, I had 
unusual facilities for reaching the larger portion of the people. My trip also enabled 
me to attend in person to the locating of the teachers at Cape Prince of Wales, 
Point Hope, and Point Barrow, the erection of the buildings, and the providing of 
the necessary supplies. In visiting tbe various localities I found a great lack of 
suiificient food supply in the country. The ancestors of the present population had 
an abundant food supply in the whale and walrus of the sea, and the fur-bearing 
animals of the land, but the destruction of the whale by the American whalers, and 
of fur-bearing animals by improved breech-loading firearms, had so diminished the 
food supply that the present inhabitants were slowly decreasing in number for want 
of food. While coasting along the shore of Siberia I found a barbarous people 
similar to the Eskimo of Alaska with an abundant food supply because they had 
large herds of domestic reindeer. As it was impossible to restock the ocean with 
whale as a stream could be restocked with fish, the suggestion was very natural to 
introduce the domestic reindeer of Siberia into Alaska, teach the Alaskan natives 
the management and breeding of the deer, and thus not only produce a new supply 
but also lift the population a step forward in civilization, change them from hunting 
to herding, accumulating property, etc. Upon my return to Washington I made a 
report to the Commissioner of Education, which was transmitted to Congress, urging 
the adoption of this plan of introducing reindeer into Alaska. 

During the year a large, substantial school building was erected at Yakutat and a 
small school building at the Kake village on Kupreanof Island. 

In 1891 I made my second annual tour to the Arctic, insijecting schools on the 
Alaska side; also purchasing and transporting reindeer from Siberia. 

The leading event of the year 1892 was the actual introduction of domestic reindeer 
into Alaska, an account of which is given in this report under the head of "Intro- 
duction of domestic reindeer into Alaska." 

On January 10, 1892, Mr. C. H. Edwards, Government teacher at Kake, while endeav- 
oring to protect the natives of the village where he lived from the landing of whisky 
contrary to law by some smugglers, was shot by them and a few days afterwards 
died. After the farce of a trial, the murderers were turned loose to continue their 
nefarious operations. 

On the 29th of June, 1892, an industrial school for the instruction of Alaskan 
young men in the raising and breeding of reindeer was established at Port Clarence, 
near Bering Straits. This school was named the Teller Reindeer Station, and on the 
4th of July the first reindeer for the herd were landed at this station from the reve- 
nue cutter Bear. 

On May 1, the Hon. James Sheakley, who had been local superintendent of schools 
in southeastern Alaska for the past three years, resigned, and Mr. William A. Kelly 
was appointed in his place. 

On the 19th of August, 1893, Mr. Harrison R. Thornton, teacher at Cape Prince of 
Wales, was shot with a bomb gun in the hands of two or three hoodlum young men, 
who had been debarred the privileges of the school because of misbehavior. The 
young men were immediately shot" by their relatives and neighbors, as the only 
method the villagers had of showing their abhorrence of the deed. 

On February 18 the schoolhouse at Killisuoo was discovered to be on fire, and 
burned to the ground. On account of the smallnessof the appropriation for schools, 
the building could not be rebuilt, and the school for the time being was closed. 

In the spring of 1894 I secured seven families of Norway Lapps and sent them to the 
reindeer station, to take tbe places of teachers previously secured in Siberia, a fuller 
account of which is found under the head of " Reindeer." During the summer and 
fall of 1895 school buildings were erected at Unalaska and Saxman. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours, 

*^ Sheldox Jackson, 

General Agent Education for Alaska. 






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